Critics of Calabar carnival

Even as some people are still basking in the euphoria of the excitement of the  Calabar carnival,  Christian groups  in Cross River State have criticised the yearly event, saying it has caused  social and moral setback in the state.

One of the groups, Christian Youth Group (CYG) led by  Reverend Theodore Effiong, regretted that since the introduction of the carnival by the former governor of the State, Mr Donald Duke, there had been an  alarming increase in teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and child abandonment in the state.

The group also staged a protest at the Government House in Calabar over the conduct of the carnival on Sundays, alleging that the state government was apparently scheming to suppress Christianity and relegate the religion to the background in the state.

Expressing their concerns, they lamented that the last carnival took place on Sunday, allegeding that it hindered many Christians from attending Sunday worship as most  major roads were closed to traffic.

Another group under the aegis  of  Cross River State Christian Women (CRSCW)  appeared in sack clothes and protested at the Government House, urging the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, not to allow carnival to hold on Sundays again.

The placard carrying women, who went through Calabar main market, Watt and the Millennium Park, finally barricaded the Governor’s Office gate.

Also, another group, Christian Youths in Cross River, also staged a protest  to the Governor’s office in black attire, chanting songs as they appealled to the Governor to stop promoting carnival, sexual immorality, ungodly activities and the street dance with its associated ills.

They maintained that carnival was initiated by erstwhile Governor, Mr. Donald Duke to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Efiks and the People of the state, but under the present administration the essence has been eroded by western culture as most woman now parade themselves nude on the street.

In a  letter to the Governor, signed by the National Adviser of the Christian Youth Group, Amassador  Theodore Effiong, National Secretary Helen Eze, Youth Adviser, Pastor Wisdom Assuquo and Martins Otudor regretted the state Government with the support of international donour agencies has spent billions of Naira in the fight against HIV/AID, yet was promoting  the spread of  the killer disease through the Carnival.

Ambassador Effiong alleged that some spots on the carnival routes were always an eye sore as a day after the carnival night, the  Millennium Park, Cultural Centre and the U.J Esuene stadium were often flooded with stained under wears, torn braziers, and ruffled hair attachments.

He challenged the state Governor to obey the state laws, recalling that there was a subsisting law against public noise making.

Under the law, some worshipers including pastors were allegedly arrested at Bayside in Calabar South, tortured and detained  by the police  at the State CID for singing and praying in the church loud above approved sound level, yet the loud speakers used during carnival were perceivably louder.

He said  that  the protest was an advise and a clarion call to avoid the wrath of God on the State.