By Abasi Ita, Calabar
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has continued to come under heavy knocks from major political actors within and beyond the state over his abysmal performance since assuming office in 2015
The barrage of criticisms followed the havoc wrecked on the state by the Ayade-led administration which has crippled virtually every stratum of the state once a reference point in tourism, developmental strides, clean environment, blanket security, and rejuvenated civil service
Speaking at Odukpani during an interactive session between the People Democratic Party PDP Governorship Campaign Team and Members of the Odukpani Traditional Rulers Council, former Governor of the state Donald Duke says he is yet to meet a pathological liar in the mold of Senator Ben Ayade.
According to him, “it amazes me a great deal how Ayade can be reeling out a such barrage of lies almost on a routine basis without any semblance of remorse, governance in our state under Ayade has become a mockery because our present governor lacks integrity
“Of all the widely advertised industries or projects acclaimed as the biggest in Africa at groundbreaking ceremonies, none has seen the light of the day, every gain we have achieved as a state from 1999 to 2015 has been wiped out in a jiffy”
“We can not elongate the misnomer under the guise of zoning. We can not accept drinking water from a leprous hand, no patient in a critical or emergency condition at the hospital can afford to wait for the doctor from his village when his or her life is at stake, that is the scenario facing us, besides, a good friend is better than a bad brother”
Duke stated that “the disaster we are suffering today emanates from the fact we elevated Ayade beyond his capacity. Governance needs a man with integrity, capacity, vision, stable mind, and intellectual acumen, Senator Sandy possesses all that, that is why I am rooting for him”
“I don’t have any issue with Prince Otu, who is the APC governorship candidate. But Ayade has become his greatest albatross. Fruit can not fall far from the tree. We need a man with temerity to redeem our state from the quagmire we have found ourselves in courtesy of Ayade.
We are now a laughing stock on the national and global stage. Our budget themes since 2016 have become comic reliefs Senator Sandy Onor is the best available option for the enormous task ahead”
In his remarks, the Clan Head of Otung Eyo Ema and spokesman of the Council, Rt Rear Admiral Etinyin Itam Okpo expressed dismay at the deplorable situation in the state ranging from dilapidated public school buildings, decaying basic infrastructure, worsening insecurity, filthy environments, and the humiliating treatment of the traditional institutions by the present government
In his words,” It is a pity that this government is set to end its without a good legacy in any sector. We as royal fathers are worst off under Ayade, our pay package is the worst in the entire country. In our sister state, Akwa Ibom, village heads are entitled to an official car from the state every three years, here, village heads get #7500.00 as monthly stipends while clan heads collect #22,000.00. It is total humiliation”
