Efio-Ita Nyok|8 October 2016
Yesterday, 7 October His Excellency the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Benedict Ayade was welcomed back to the state after a prolonged stay away for obvious reasons. It will be recalled that the Supreme Court had ruled recently that it would be delivering a definitive judgement on the 9th of December this year on the Joe Agi SAN Vs CRS PDP with Governor Ben Ayade as the second respondent.
Reports have it that Ayade had been in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja where he has been running from pillar to post sourcing for power centres that will secure an anticipated favourable judgment come 9 December. It's even rumoured that the governor had resolved not to return to the state until December should he not prevail in the in this course.
However, early this week it was announced that Ayade would be returning to the state on Friday 7 October. And the Governor intended to make a show out of it evidently as a way of propping his support base considering how grossly unpopular he has become in the state. Ayade's unpopularity has hit an all time low never recorded in the history of Cross River State politics that a sitting governor should be this unpopular. In fact, while they welcomed His Excellency organised labour was busy protesting against unpaid salaries owed local government staff and arrears of pension and gratuity of senior citizens.
In Calabar, Ayade's reception was fanfare. The Shoki-dancing state was at his game again. There was a rented crowd from the entire 18 LGAs of the state to treat him to a rousing welcome. Another striking feature yesterday at the reception venue was a coffin labeled, RIP Joe. Traditional rulers, religious figures, politicians, women, men, youths under so many aegis were all induced in one way or the other to show up at the controversial reception.
The question now is, why did the rented crowd go to receive His Excellency? Is it the tradition that the Governor is always welcomed home anytime he is away and returns? If the response is in the negative, then, What is special about this return? Is the Governor celebrating his anticipated victory at the Supreme Court come 9 December? Did the crowd show up there to welcome him home or identify with his anticipated success or in response to the purported inducement? Has the recession hit us so hard that our rationality was undermined yesterday? Critical comments have trailed the reception of Ayade. I have decided to limit these comments to these few because they are representative and are reputed to be the conscience of the Cross River by reason of their previous seasoned write ups.
Kennedy Nsan
I am deeply worried by the happenings in our dear state (CRS).
What is the crowd that went to welcome Gov. Ayade from the airport about?
Obviously, this is not the first time our governor is visiting Abuja after he became governor. Why is our governor being welcomed from an Abuja trip? Why are we celebrating his return? If it's about their pending court battle with Barr. Joe Agi SAN at the Supreme Court, how will this coming out to welcome the governor change things on the 9th December?
I'm very very worried at the happenings in our state! The last time if I can recall vividly and if my memory hasn't failed me, when such a thing was done was when Sen. Imoke went to 'capture' the delegate list from Abuja after it miraculously went to Jedy's camp at the December 2014 PDP primaries. Has governor Ayade succeeded in 'capturing' the Supreme court judges? I doubt that… And even if he has, is it proper for him to be dancing on the streets of Calabar before the final verdict is delivered? Shouldn't this show rightly come after the verdict?
I am truly worried by the happenings in our state, particularly because I know that whatever money is expended today has been depleted from our common purse and this is a minus on our developmental strides (Super Highway, Garment Factory, Deep Seaport, etc).
This jamboree as far as am concerned is uncalled for except am not privy to certain insider details but like I said before, this is just unnecessary and a waste of our meagre and lean resources!
Peter Ofem Ubi
Is this not madness? Jobless Youths carry coffin with the inscription RIP to celebrate Ayade return from Abuja and a friend calls this mobilization.
I call it spiritual burial -not all eyes can see the significance.
Chai 5,000k is really driving some youths crazy as they need money for bear and pepper soup or dog meat… Buhari abeg fix this recession!
Joseph Odok
Going out in crowd to welcome someone that drains our economy and falsified his age is the highest expression of foolery. I am ashamed that traditional leaders and a Rev Fr are part of this act of shame.
Inyali Peter
The level of immaturity and irresponsibility demonstrated by Cross River state drowning Governor, Senator Ben Ayade is legendary and sickening!
Which responsible leader will leave the enormity of challenges, ranging from the inability of the government to pay Local Government staff and teachers salaries to his battle with Joe Agi for the soul of Cross River and be dancing "shoki" as if he is still on a campaign trail?
May be Ayade thinks "shoki" would safe him from the eminent sack my Supreme court like he danced his way to the government house last year! Time shall tell!!
Princewill Odidi
Was this really necessary? Inscribing Joe's name on a coffin is bad politics. I expected a higher form of civility and political maturity. Is this the extent we have degenerated? This was watched nationwide. Actions like these can sway public and legal opinions. It's not yet Uhuru, wisdom is critical here. Actions like these can erase and turn around public goodwill. The word is "Caution".
Ifere Paul
For all the youths who believes in Governor Ben Ayade, and are planning to join the demonstration because of 3k, your blood will be used to fill the voodoo pot as Ayade goes home to pray. You will be sacrificed like a goat.
At this dare & trying times of the Ayades, blood is what they need to reactivate the potency of their voodoo pot. If you don't know what to do with your blood, please go and donate it in the hospital.
Don't fall for lies and one chance that may lead to your death.
David Odey
While the embattled Shoki master was been welcome to prop up his support base, labour was carrying out it protest to drive home their grievances amongst them non payment of local government workers and the arrears of pension and gratuity owed our senior citizens.
#IThinkCrossRiver
#CrossRiverForAll
Whatever the reason for the mobilization of the crowd could be, my disappointment is with the educational system that secured the crowd to show up at the reception of the Governor. If Cross Riverians show up there in support of His Excellency in view of the 9 December judgement then, I am ashamed. If they showed up there for monetary inducement then where is their sound value system? If they showed up there for the banal purpose of reception with no strings attached, then this type of patriotism is unprecedented. But we know better.
I am calling on Governor Ben Ayade to pay the salary of LGA staff and the arrears of pension and gratuity owed our senior citizens.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of NegroidHaven.org
