Organisers of the Evidence Group mega solidarity walk have described Saturday's massive youth turnout in Calabar as a clear endorsement of Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu's people-centred administration.
They described the rally as an unprecedented and overwhelming show of solidarity in recent times.
Thanking young people across the State for flooding the major streets of Calabar, the group said the walk was a total declaration of support for an administration whose performance, it noted, is visible across all sectors.
The organisers said the procession was a definitive statement of youth participation, citing the tangible developments of the "Season of Sweetness" under the Governor's leadership.
In an appreciation message issued by Andrea Ekeng Inyang, Director of Media and Publicity, the group noted that while addressing the mammoth crowd, its leader, Edem Bassey, stressed that the event was more than a traditional street procession, but a dynamic platform for young people to affirm progress in governance.
The organisers captured the spirit of the day thus: "Una come out. Una walk. Una show say young people get voice. We dey work, e dey show!"
"Today's solidarity walk was more than a procession. It was a peaceful expression of youth participation and an affirmation of the evidence of the Season of Sweetness," the statement added.
According to the group, the turnout showed the eagerness of youths to contribute actively to the conversation on the state's socio-economic direction. It added that the peaceful conduct of the walk drew warm praise from political and security stakeholders.
The organisers thanked the state leadership for ensuring a secure and welcoming atmosphere throughout the walk.
"We sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, for providing an enabling environment for young people to gather, express themselves peacefully and return safely to their various homes," the group stated.
They also thanked Rt. Hon. Christopher Etta, State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for his unwavering support and encouragement, and Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to the Governor, for his backing.
Hon. Sylvester Agabi, Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, was also acknowledged, alongside senior government functionaries and security personnel. The orderly and peaceful execution of the walk was credited to cross-sector collaboration involving law enforcement, traffic management, volunteers, coordinators and media practitioners.
"The sentiment of the youth was distilled into a rallying cry: 'You did not just talk about the message. You showed it. WE DEY WORK. E DEY SHOW. THE EVIDENCE DEY SHOW!'
The early hours of Saturday saw the streets of Calabar pulsate with energy and chants of solidarity as thousands of young people took part in the procession, which passed through major streets of the city in an impressive display of civic engagement.
As the dust settled on a historic day of civic expression, the Evidence Group reaffirmed its commitment to serving as a catalyst for youth involvement, transparent communication and continuous development across Cross River State.
Nakanda Iyadim
