Ogbeche|8 July 2018
The last 3years have been a nightmare for Cross River State and its people, and what can never be forgotten in a hurry is that our loquacious and self-styled digitalized version of North Koreas Kim Jong-Un, charmed his way to Government House Calabar with a pack of lies.
Once in Government House, he held the State spellbound by virtue of his famed Obudu “black pot” inherited from his late mother and willfully exhibited callous ineptitude, immaturity and stole us blind while driving out businesses and well-wishers in droves. It is perhaps the reason why Bishop Josef Bassey’s laser like yet gentle chastisement with a conclusion that the digital one should make amendments before seeking a 2nd term greatly resonates with every well-meaning Cross Riverian. https://guardian.ng/news/you-dont-deserve-a-second-term-christian-leaders-tell-ayade/
Overlooked in numerous insult-laden responses mostly paid for by the Ayades, that have failed to address the core issues raised by the man of God, is the fact that the revered Bishop is nothing but a courageous umpire, clearly bothered by the mess we now find ourselves. And even if one may want to downplay the crucial spiritual and leadership role played by CROSSCLEF over the years, including playing host to many previous State governors during their yearly “dedication service,” the truth of the matter is that we are not interested in Bishops Bassey’s private life. We are encouraged by his boldness and forthright position on the true state of affairs in our beloved State.
I mean how can a sane human being, promote the immature media responses or rebuttals without fact and attempts to discredit and malign Bishop Bassey character with casually scandalous claims, when this same individual is genuinely working to remove the scourge of failure, corruption and ineptitude from our state and cultural fabric. For the grace and dignity under fire: thank you Bishop Josef Bassey and history is on your side!
Then again, as APC Chieftain Chief Sony Abang pointed out to a friend over the weekend “these attacks on Bishop Bassey by Governor and his people really drive a stake through the Governor personal credibility.” Which also buttresses my young friend and former Governor Donald Duke’s observation while hosting stakeholders from the South at his home over the weekend, “indeed we are witnessing the Governors alter ego responding through his CPS: for clearly the Governor cannot contemplate someone else commanding centre stage.”
Unable to fuel a sense of victimhood in this case against Bishop Bassey at this crucial political hour, which has been his strategy over the last 3yrs, the irony of it all is that despite his many foibles, fumbles and wombles, the people had actually wanted to maintain lasting attachment to the Ayade’s for the sake of the “North’s turn;” sadly, that promise looks extremely hard to keep now with the North itself openly rejecting its own.
To think that Frank and Ben Ayade almost got away with holding the State spellbound as they plundered at will, before God emboldened Bishop Bassey to speak up loud and in clear terms, there are many who should hide their face in shame, particularly editors at ThisDay, The Nation and the editor of the Daily Vanguard who shared Ita/Ayades “August gift” to buy their silence and loyalty to cover up for the blood-soaked mess in Cross River State.
As Ayade’s political career nears its frustrating end.
In truth, after only 6 months on the saddle it become clear that while the Ayades might have been adept in deceiving their way to Government House Calabar, they didn’t care to understand the people whose mandate they became custodians of, or the State’s political culture because they were not deserved winners of their election in the first place. The first shocker was Ayade’s claim to run government out of his pocket.
Oblivious to them was that the collegiate based political system successfully built on trust by the Duke/Imoke/GHB group, for the people for the State chapter of the PDP which the Duke/Imoke/GHB group, which drove the political strategy of the State chapter of the PDP in the preceding 16yrs could have produced as Governor, Skonto the former Councilor, Eric Anderson, Frank Ayade himself or any chosen goat, if it was so orchestrated.
From never really having money to fund the last leg of their own election but for the benevolence of former Governor Imokes friends including support from the conveniently shoved aside Yoruba business guru, Oba Otudeko, who personally called me and I said, it was okay to throw his weight behind Ayade. It was lies, lies, and more lies till by fate they arrived in Government House Calabar; oh God what did we ever do wrong and why befall our beloved State with such a fate?
What will be, will be
Quite clearly, we the people, need to ask the Ayades and their minders led by his CPS Ntufam Christian Okpa-ita, Chief Grace Ekanem, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, the current Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon John Gaul-Lebo, Hon Daniel Asuquo, Chief Emile Inyang, Ntufams John and Ekpo Okon, Chief Asuquo Ekpeyong and a few self-seeking politicians, this critical moral question “is it ok for the CROSSCLEF to congregate and pray for the Governor and the State? Yet close its eyes to failures by government? Is our society not under siege with direct impact on lives and business? Why should the Church of God not demand for accountability for its people from the Government of the day?
Do these band of political minions even understand the basic fundamental of democracy?
As INECs mandated party primaries approach and every politician jostles and postures, Governors Ben and Frank Ayade, dominant figures in the State’s economic and political map over the last 3yrs now look forlorn.
Obviously the EFCC seizures have taken its toll. Reminded by Bishop Josef Bassey that political danger lies only in failure and complacency, these strangers in our midst with no traceable political heritage must surely realize that at best, political wilderness awaits them. In reality, this is an outcome, which befalls every politician when there’s in no concrete achievement to point at. But then while most accept it with good grace, grateful for what they have had, clearly, for the Ayades, there’s a tinge of narcissism in play.
So, after 3yrs, it is now obvious that perhaps the first thing the Ayades forgot is that they would constantly be confronted by history…perhaps that’s what Bishop Bassey painfully reminded them off.
The end is here!
Ogbeche
Is a social commentator
