Efio-Ita Nyok|13 July 2016|9:20AM
Sequel to the Monday 11 July APC call for the impeachment of the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, on the three count charges of poor waste management of the state capital, violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended in venturing to execute projects exclusively ceded to the purview of the Federal Government like Police, Deep Seaport, etc through the Exclusive List; neglecting projects like Health, Education, Agriculture, etc ceded to the state and federal government through the Concurrent List, etc and failing to transmit power to the Deputy Governor when travelling out of the state; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation and Students Affairs, Prince Michael Abuo, has labelled such a call by the state chapter of the APC as 'callous, insensitive, senseless and against the collective interest of our state and nation'.
His disposition was made known to Negroidhaven.org (Negroid Haven) in a press release sent in this morning. The aide who among other things has referred to the state leadership of the APC as hypocritical and sycophantic totally condemned the position of the opposition party in his 15 paragraphs press release. What follows is a full text of the SA's exhaustive press release:
The Call For The Impeachment Of The Governor of Cross River State By The Leadership Of APC Is Callous, Insensitive,Sensless And Against The Collective Interest Of Our State And Nation
In solidarity with Cross Riverians from all sphere of life and across the globe, I totatlly condemn the call for the impeachment of His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade, the Executive Governor of Cross River State as stated in a recent press briefing by the leadership of the All Progressive Congress,APC in Cross River State signed by Ntufam Hiliard Etta(APC National Vice Chairman South) and Sir John Ochala
(APC Acting State Chairman CRS) dated 11th July,2016.
The call for the impeachment of the people's Governor by the leadership of APC was premised on what there termed "misgovernance" and "insecurity", Cross Riverians and Nigerians must awaken to condemn the sycophancy and hypocrisy of these disgruntled elements who are failing woefully in steering the national government and seeking to attain leadership in the state by all means and via fruitless plots.
While it is true that in recent time there's been increase in security challeneges not just in Cross River State but across the federation, it is untrue that Cross River State is been misgoverned.Besides there's no nation or state that is without security challenges not even sophisticated societies.
As Nigerians we are not ignorant of the hardship experienced across the federation which came to bliss on the advent of the APC led national government and socially,it has been proven that crime rates tends to increase in era of economic down turns.Who is to be blamed for this down turns as experienced nationally?
From increase in petroleum products and the cost of goods and services, to further decay in infrastructure and poor outputs in terms of power generation and distribution,low economic activities and increase in unemployment rates,disregard for human rights by unconstitutional arrests and detentions, sensless killings across the federation as evident in the east as peaceful protesters were gunned down, Fulani herdsmen killing of inhabitants of their own land as seen in Benue and part of South South/South Eastern States, religious intolerance, fundamentalism and fanaticism as witnessed in our nation capital in the killing of a Christian mother of seven, renewed agitation in the Niger Delta region and the resurfacing of Boko Haram attacks in Northern States,clash of the various arms of government, the judiciary/executive arm against leadership of the national assembly etc. The APC government has taken Nigeria to our lowest ebb in recent times, never has it been this bad.
Therefore, the APC leadership rather than trying to cause chaos in Cross River State should engage in mental and physical activities to positively influence our tides from this reign of negativities.If any government is to be impeached in all sense of patriotism the APC national government should be the government, the party too should be dislodged and rebundled…Hypocrites!
Is it not funny to note that in the said statement by APC chieftains in the state,there's a fuse about our Governor Foriegn Direct Investment Drive which has necessistated foreign trips and Memorandum of Understanding that is beginning to yield gains in CRS as seen in the technical support provided by different Asian governments to aid our Garment Factory; the boost our schools/educational system is getting from support by the Canadian government; health boost as health institutions are undergoing renovation and staffs trained, to top it all the wife of the President – Mrs Aisha Buhari was in the state to launch the Cross River State Maternal and Child Initiative for free health care for mothers and children etc.
APC leadership in the state should know that Ayade also doubles as the state Commissioner of Tourism and MoUs are fruits of his many travels and like a planted seeds the dividends will take time to yield but atleast there are evidence of his toils.No wonder he won the 2016 Tourism Man of the year in West Africa.
As regards the allegations that His Excellency, Sen Ben Ayade by pursuing the building of a seaport, construction of a superhiway and setting up homeland security to supplement federal government security apparatus in the state bridges the constitution is nothing but childish. We are all aware that the federal government has endorsed the seaport project, the president himself was here to carry out the ground breaking of the construction of the superhiway project in the state and for the issue of homeland security as proposed by the government in Cross River State to address security bridges in the state is to ensure community policing and build a network for grassroot information gathering to address security lapses by relaying information and working closely with federal government controlled security outfits and the the state citizens. This again is innovative and a commendable move to address the security issues in the state and doesn't bridge any constitutional provision.
Governor Ayade is a man on a mission to realize his vision on positively revolutionizing the state from its previous economic dependent status to an economic rejuvenated state. Therefore, his vision for a seaport, an evacuation corridor for goods and services in the superhighway project is geared towards the above.Naysayers and these APC elements and their allies are only scared of the fortune both political and economic the above project od realized will bring to our people and state and so are working day and night to ensure that it is filled but God is putting them to shame already.So, His Excellency, Prof Ayade is prepared and will deliver his mandate and has no time for excuses as alledged.He will succeed and is succeeding.
Cross River State is one of the few states not owing her workers and pensioners add, the only state to exempt junior staffs/workers from paying taxes, this administration within one year has created over 3000 jobs. 1500 in the newly created green police (An organization to ensure a clean and green Cross River, an anti-deforestation wing of the state which will prevent logging activities by protecting our forests and also aid in afforestation), another 1000 which have been selected for shortlisting in the state garment factory project as well as other engagements from newly created departments, ministries,agencies and critical committees. In addition to this a over 11 billion Naira scheme in partnership with the United Nation office in Nigeria for youth advancement in innovation, agriculture, entrepreneurial development has been launched in the state while several agric schemes by the state ministry of agriculture has ensured sufficient food and animal production/processinng in the state from cassava to cocoa, palm oil to garri to animal production etc.
We must understand that governance is the responsibility of government and the governed, it is a collective responsibility of the leader and the led.Ayade should rather be commended for this exemplary leadership show this more than one year of been on the saddle, yes, the administration may have it's imperfection and rather than childish rants and unguided statements from adults contributions should be made to ensure that our state and nation succeed.When will we as a state read about commendation and positive recommendation from these stakeholders?
Basically, we, I condemn the acts of robbery and security bridge in the state but commend Ayade's bold move, just as he addressed the "scolombo" menace our peace is certain.For the litter of dirt and garbage heaps here and there, that too has been addressed with the newly purchased waste disposing vehicles and cans/bins and extra staffing.Never a time has the governor been out of the state that the deputy governor has not sufficiently acted in that capacity.
See, we have just one state and country and rather than tear it apart, irrespective of our political/ethnic divide we must team up and ensure that we build and showcase our state and country in positive light.Cross Riverians and Nigerians…! Let's commend what must be commended, lovingly/constructively condemn and correct that which should be corrected and condemned.The worst state of humanity is a state of deciet.We know the truth let's stand by it and rise up against falsehood. How can we grow if we love in lies and deceit?
Finally, I condemn in totality and describe as callous,Insensitive and sensless the call for the impeachment of the Governor of Cross River State, this call is a very expensive joke and against the collective good of our state and nation. Ayade is taking Cross River State to greater heights and should be supported. Both leaders and the led must also understand that it is God that controls all and where our efforts fall, God's power prevails. Let us pray for our state and nation these times are trying!
Prince Michael Nku Abuo,JP
Is the Director General/Founder of Cross River State Political Network, CRISPON, a Social Analyst and a Fellow of the Prestigious International Visitor's Leadership Program, IVLP
