By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
Calabar—Some members of Cross River State executive council, including commissioners, special advisers and special assistants, were, Saturday, barred from sitting at the state box at the U. J. Esuene Stadium Calabar, venue for the 51st independence anniversary celebration for coming to the event an hour late.

The state box is always reserved for the governor, his deputy, members of the state executive council and some invited personalities. But the state exco seats were vacant as the commissioners and other aides of Governor Liyel Imoke were prevented by security personnel from taking their positions at the state box. However, the late comers took part in the march past.

A member of the state executive, who did not want his name in print, said it was bad for his colleagues to come to a function over one hour after the governor and his deputy had taken their seats. He explained that allowing them to take their positions at the state box by the time they came amounted to a breach of protocol.

The event started at about 9am with Governor Imoke; Chief Efiok Cobham, his deputy; Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN, Senate Leader; Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, Chairman, Cross River State Traditional Coun-cil; Muri Munene Effiong Mbukpa, paramount ruler of Calabar South, council chairmen, service commanders, among others, already seated.