Patrick U. Akongwale|15 August 2017
Professor Ben Ayade campaign slogan for 2015 Gubernatorial Elections was "Politics With Ethics". It was a cool slogan; there was no bitterness in his campaign message, not even when his convoy was attacked in Ndoma Egba's community. The campaign mirrored his silent rise to the top as one of Obudu's most successful boy. He was not known for anything negative; he conquered academics; moved into business and did well; was on the verge of hitting a new political heights with very little scandal on his shoulders. Commendably & something to learn from.
The Governor hit another height in 2015 while inaugurating his cabinet; he asked all the Commisoners to take an anti-cult oath. I watched the event in awe; Ben Ayade was ready to call Cultism the name it deserves, something most politicians in Nigeria are not ready to do. The Governor was not doing it because he's a saint neither was the Governor convinced that his cabinet members are all innocent. No, Ayade wanted to send a message to the youths of Cross River; I got to the top without Cultism and you can achieve that as well. He was ready to change the narrative that flows in the hinterland that to make it in politics one must be a Cultist. Coming from the same area, there is little to suggest that he got himself involved with such things while growing up, the Governor is ambitious & driven; but he pursues his objectives in a positive manner.
Among those that took that oath was the Commissioner for Youth & Sport, Mr. Asu Okang. Two years into Ben Ayade adminstration, Asu Okang addressed teenagers inside the University of Calabar and told them that "Personally, He Sees Nothing Wrong With Cultism". Like I said yesterday, Asu must be applauded for at least his honesty – but, the Governor must be made to understand that a member of his cabinet has taken a position that differs from his. Asu don't care about what we think, in fact go to his wall and see the support he's getting. But, his comment has put the Governor in the limelight; his cabinet member has told us openly that he's no problem with Cultism. Cabinet members represent leaders in their individual post since leaders can't do the job alone, Asu happens to mount the desk that coordinate engagement with the Youths, but doesn't share the same position with the Governor on Cross River's number one menace after unemployment- Cultism! The Commissioner is our number one youth if he doesn't understand; he's a role model to the kids he addressed in UNICAL; he cannot have a different opinion from " His Boss"! Rumors have it that the Commissioner tried to arrest the situation by granting audience to Student Union Groups and parlaying local bloggers/journalist; he asked them to take the story down. Like Asu, I work in an organization and have my SLAs( Service Level Agreements)- SLA's are minimum standard expected from an employee and I think the Commissioner has defaulted big time! His speech in UNICAL contradict the Governor's supposedly SLA regarding Cultism.
As we await for official response from the Government, I consider the statement from Mr Commissioner a direct challenge to our Governor. If what happened during Asu Okang's inauguration was not a farce, then Mr Governor must show his hands here.
Patrick Unimagbebia Akongwale
Is a Social Commentator
