Eyo Ekpo berates Ayade says new set of appointments is a continuation of a wasteful culture

L -R Barr Eyo Ekpo and Sen. Ben Ayade 

| 24 October 2018 | Ukorebi Esien 

The Eyo Ekpo campaign organization headed by Mr. Ambo Ekpenyong have raised an eyebrow on the recent set of appointments approved by his excellency, the digital governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade. 

In a press statement signed by the DG of the organization, and made available to TDN, Mr. Ambo described the appointment as a wasteful culture arguing that where the state was struggling to meet up with its basic financial responsibilities that will push the state forward it was rather wasting resources in appointments that had no corresponding benefits to the state. 

The statement reads in full: 

PRESS RELEASE 

The Eyo Ekpo Campaign Organisation receives with dismay, news of the appointments of new special assistants by Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade. These appointments highlight once more the wastefulness of the Ayade's administration. It is now no surprise that Cross River ranks last among all the states of the federation in terms of meeting its monthly financial commitments.

At the last known count, Ben Ayade, since 2015, has brought on a staggering 5000 plus political aides on the CRSG payroll, including 1100 appointed in one day without any allocation to cater to them, in a state struggling to pay and elevate civil servants. This waste deprives the state of investments in the desperately needed enablers of growth that we lack such as water, good waste management, roads and viable healthcare and education sectors.

Consequently, public services are lacking in many parts of the state; potable water have stopped flowing from the state water board, waste management has ground to a halt, and poor roads are the order of the day. 

These new appointments will do nothing to solve these challenges, but will only further increase the cost of our constant resort to debt to fund salaries to the detriment of Cross Riverians. 

Political appointments must first and foremost deliver value to citizens, rather than be used as a cynical patronage system for buying support for a government that has failed in practically every factor of development in the state.

As elections approach, we are confident that the people of Cross River State will come together to reject this administration at the polls, and put behind them the last four years of wasteful spending.

It is time to recover and restore Cross River State. 

Signed 

Ambo Ekpenyong 

DG, Eyo Ekpo Campaign Organisation

Groups call on INEC to heed Supreme Court's advice on Bakassi state house constituency delineation

| 21 April 2018 | Ukorebi Esien

A Coalition of groups lead by the Nka Nkori Ye Nsongonda Efik Efut Ye Abakpa Empowerment Association in Conjunction with Me Africa Advocacy Group (MAAG) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to as a matter of urgency adhere to the advice of Justice Inyang Okroro, a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who two months ago delivered judgment on the delineation of state constituency for the Bakassi people of Cross River state

The call was made today, in a symposium on the implications of the recent Supreme Court judgment on the Akpabuyo and Bakassi boundaries adjustment held in Calabar, Cross River State Capital. 

Barr. Eyo Ekpo, a Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Cross River State and the keynote speaker of the event stated that, the issue could have been settled 12 years ago, adding that “in 2007 we went to INEC for them to adopt Ikang North, Ikang Central, and Ikang South as Bakassi state Constituency, but the matter has been battled”.

Barr. Ekpo said who took time to explain in clear terms the historical background of the ceding of Bakassi to Cameron said it all started during the military government of Abacha.

He went further to explain the recent judgment delivered by the court stating that although the judgment was in favour of INEC and the judge in his wisdom advised INEC to as a matter of urgency do the needful in seeing that the already displaced people of Bakassi are not disenfranchised in the forthcoming elections.

That also made it clear that to achieve that purpose “We need to agree on the following; (1) We need a Bakassi state constituency, (2) 7 new wards for Bakassi and (3) 3 new wards for Akpabuyo. If we, our Elites do not call the State Government to do the needful, the status quo will remain the same”.

]Speaking also was Hon. Bassey Ita Edem, an Activist and a former Bakassi Local Government Chairman, who said the displaced Bakassi people need a real place to settle, adding that, “Judgement has been given by the Supreme court, why not we sit down and talk how to correlate”.

Architect Bassey Ndem, Former State Commissioner of Lands also said he believes some forces are holding back the delineation of Bakassi Constituency due to their selfish interest. “Twelve years ago a judgment was given and what was supposed to be done from that period was for INEC to go in and carry out it constituency delineation. But for 12 years now, it has not done so, despite pressure from the State Government, House of Assembly, Individuals, including taking people to court. Nothing has happened, and you’d think something is behind it. That’s why I propose name and shame”.

Architect Ndem while charging the youths to rise up and do the needful said, “let’s come together as a people, supported by the unbiased Press write and go to INEC to do what the Supreme court had advised them to do and what the people of Bakassi and Akpabuyo had been crying out for 12 years that they should do. But, if they don’t do it, one day there will be a day of reckoning and we’ll ask them why you did not do it”.

On his part, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, Member representing Bakassi state constituency and Chairman committee on Health at the Cross River State House of Assembly said, INEC has readjusted the Law No. 7 and created a space meant for Bakassi constituency.

He said INEC was deceived, adding that, “several letters were written by former Governor Liyel Imoke, and we’ve protested to the INEC as Chairmen of councils, but INEC didn’t compel with us”.

He stated further that, the Supreme Court judgment was simple, adding that, “Law No. 7 was to make boundary adjustments between Akpabuyo and Bakassi and not to create new constituencies.

“INEC do not need to delineate the wards, for these wards, has been delineated by Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC”.

Hon. Okon who was also the Chairman of the conference further reiterated that “According to a legal practitioner, the State has the power to create Local Government Boundaries and INEC has the power to create constituencies and conduct elections, therefore, we should make sure that the right thing is done”.

Hon. Bassey further said, Government has made provisions to the displaced people of Bakassi, but none of them is enjoying the provisions, instead people who are not from there are the ones benefiting. “Today, the Cross River State Government has built an estate for the Bakassi people in Akpabuyo, but is the estate in Bakassi?

“If we define our positions, Bakassi will be resettled. If we take our positions, the wealth of Bakassi can be able to take care of Cross River State. What an average Bakassi man needs, is where he can stay as a human being and upgrade, survive”, he said.

Architect Bassey Ndem, Former State Commissioner of Lands also said he believes some forces are holding back the delineation of Bakassi Constituency due to their selfish interest. “Twelve years ago a judgment was given and what was supposed to be done from that period was for INEC to go in and carry out it constituency delineation. But for 12 years now, it has not done so, despite pressure from the State Government, House of Assembly, Individuals, including taking people to court. Nothing has happened, and you’d think something is behind it. That’s why I propose name and shame”.

Ukorebi Esien

Blogs and edits for TDN

He is also a social media strategist, a politics blogger who tells the Nigerian Story one article at a time

Budget of Kinetic crystallization: A C'riverian dares Ayade, see what he said

A Cross Riverian simply identified as Martin Bassey has dare the digital Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof Ben Ayade to fully fund his bloated budget of kinetic crystallization. 

Matins who is also the CEO of Bloomer video said should the governor fully fund the 2018  N1.3t budget,  he will sweep the entire Etagbo Road in Calabar. 

See Matins statement on Facebook:

Tell the Governor!

...Jokes Aside

There is no way the Governor can fund the 2018 budget.

If he does, I will sweep the entire Etagbo Road in calabar.

The Attack On Inyali Peter and The politics of Intolerance by Victor Egba

| 12 April 2018 | Victor Egba

I'm particularly bemused by the media silence and unpatriotic dismissal of the disposition of the Obudu people to resort to violence, intimidation, and hate. Let me also draw a wider attention to the fresh memory of the Joseph Odok’s encounter. All points to political key players using coercive force in physically assaulting people who share a different opinion from theirs or their boss. 

An Opposition is a crucial part of our democracy, one that should be welcomed and not destroyed.

The Ayade administration has emphatically symbolise bloodshed and all worth not. He has by empowering a handful of men of the underworld put the lives of Every cross Riverian to risk.
He has the recurrent cult clashes, Unattended communal wars, and outright insecurity proven that he has no willpower to protect us.

The Ayade administration by extension has a security adviser who is too busy with campaigns for Senate to know that the people of Central, are engulfed with continual communal crises, why should he care? When he must discredit a senator of the APC. Bad politics.

With the Recent malicious attack on a social media commentator Mr. Inyali Peter, in Obudu, the governor’s hometown and the disruption of the declaration of Venatius Ikem, it is safe to conclude that the People have decided above all to foist on us a ridiculous Hobson's choice.

While we sincerely thank God for the Life of Inyali Peter, we are quite disappointed that instead of instituting legal actions to the effect he has in his usual ethnic bias chosen to take the apologetic side. After all, he is a northern ethnic champion.

We should rather mind our business, he will say, while he galvanizes public sympathy.

We the broader Cross Riverians are watching with Shame, the shenanigans of the overzealous extremism of the certain Obudu people.

As campaigns draw near, and it becomes increasingly necessary to tour across LGAs for rallies, we caution they don't set an antecedent too hard to depart from. While we pray for the fortitude to bear the defeat at the polls in 2019.

God Bless Cross River State

Madam Ocha's death: I will react at the appropriate time - Hon. Itam Abang

L-R Madam Monica, Hon.Itam Abang and Richard Ocha

| 6 April 2018 | Ukorebi Esien 

Hon. Dr. Mrs. Itam Abang, member representing Boki 1 in the Cross River State House of Assembly has said that she will in due time react to the news of the death of Madam Monica, a constituent which she represents at the Cross River State House of Assembly. 

Hon. Itam made this known in a telephone call with TDN when she was called to be informed of Madam Monica's death. 

Madam Monica Livinus Ocha passage to glory took place in the early hours of Saturday 31st March 2018 after battling with an unidentified ailment. 

It should be recalled that madam Ocha's case was reported on this platform about two months ago when her son, Richard approached the member representing them in the state house of Assembly for assistance and she embarrassed the living life out of the boy. 

Hon. Abang was reported to have told Richard:

'That's not my business if you like you bring her here, am I a Doctor?  When am done with what am doing here,  I will just enter my car and go away. 

I was elected to make laws and not to give assistance. After all how many votes did you give me? I spent money in your ward and your people did not vote for me.  I lost in your ward'. 

Ukorebi who was present at the scene said 'And true to her words as soon as she was done speaking with Hon. Jones Eteng, she zoomed off leaving the poor helpless boy stranded and perplexed'. 

When Hon. Abang was contacted through a phone call and informed that madam Monica had finally kicked the bucket, she expressed some level of pains as her voice at the other end of the of the conversation became cool and calm, as she muttered the following words:

'O' wow, uhhmmmm,  it's a pity, Hmmmm,  

...my pain is that the woman died because I had my own my plans. I didn't think that she will die. It's just a pity that she died. 

...Ukorebi I had my plans,  there were things I wanted doing but it's rather unfortunate that we lost her'.

In an attempt to air out her grievance concerning a previous Facebook post by our correspondent, reporting her actions against Madam Monica's son, The Hon. explained by saying 'If a boy comes to me for money and I tell him to wait when I am paid I will attain to his needs and you go ahead and publish rubbish against me. ..the painful aspect about it is that I am a mother, there's no way I would have said let your mother go and die'. 

'I don't know whether it is a personal vendetta or what? I don't know who I have offended? No Mather what the person has done to you, you call the person and hear from the other side'. She queried. 

'I am aware I won't remain in the house of Assembly forever. At God's own appointed time He will take me out of here. It's not in any man's hand'. She added 

'It is not in my tradition to react to social media comments, just as everybody has their shortcomings, I also have my own'. 

...Many people came to me and said look for money and give this boy,  and I said no because I know what that does to people...

...I expected that you would have come to the assembly, before ever this thing gets out, (and ask) ma this is what happened yesterday what was the problem. 

...But because you have painted me that way I didn't want to come to you so that it doesn't look as if I am trying to correct the impression you have given or I want to launder my image 

Like tell anybody who cares to listen I do things(carry out constituency projects or assist people), I don't put them on papers(media). I am just elected to serve my people and not to launder my image. She concluded.

As it concerns madam Ocha's death, the honorable had this to say, 

'It's not in my tradition to react to social media. Whether they abuse me or not I will do what is right, what I think is right. I am not God, am not perfect, like every other person, I have my shortcomings too.

Anyway, thank you for informing me, at the appropriate time I will react. Thank you. 

THE GIST OF THE STORY 

We are truly all humans with our various shortcomings and imperfections. But I believe that as elected public figures, we should develop the patience to relate with and tolerate overbearing people. 

Hon. Itam not attending to Mr. Richard's needs is not the problem in this case. The problem and the crux of the matter is not just her reactions (because like she said,  we all have our weaknesses) but where the honorable missed it was in her selection of words. 

Let me pick on her two major sentences that hit Richard like a bomb that fateful evening.

1. 'That's not my business if you like you bring her here, am I a Doctor?  When am done with what am doing here,  I will just enter my car and go away. 

For an elected leader to show or even vent out such callous statement, in public to constituents, is a show of gross disregard and disrespect to an office given to her to hold in trust for the people.

 How dare you say the problem(s) of your constituent is not your business? A fellow woman like you is sick and needs urgent medical attention and you say that's not your business. That is a shameful act and a disgraceful statement to have flowed out of the lips of an "Honourable Member".

You can't treat even your worst enemy like this. 

I understand the said honorable has her personal family issues she is battling with. But that's not an excuse, as a public office holder, it is expected that you keep aside your personal issues while dealing with the public. 

If Hon. Itam can't deal with her constituents because of family issues, I suggest she humbly resigns or she should be recalled by her constituents with immediate effect.

2. I was elected to make laws and not to give assistance. After all how many votes did you give me? I spent money in your ward and your people did not vote for me.  I lost in your ward'. 

I have heard Nigeria lawmakers misuse this statement in several places. As constitutionally correct as that statement may be, but technically they are wrong. Are they any section of the constitution that forbids lawmakers from giving assistance to constituents?  Why do they include constituency projects and allowance in the budget if they are not supposed to give assistance or help in the development of their constituencies?

They are really abusing Privileges.

Abeg this people should stop deceiving us with the very constitution meant to protect and empower us. 

Why on earth will Hon. Itam Abang brings election issues into official matters of into an issue that has to do with life and death. So because you lost an election in my compound,  you now see everyone from that compound as an enemy? 

Where then is the place of Politics with ethics we have been preaching? 

I have so much to say here but I will leave it to you to respond in the comment area of this blog post. 

Ukorebi Esien blogs for Thedailynewsng

He is a politics blogger who tells the Nigerian story one article at a time. All views are his. 

Could sleeping during Official sessions be effective representation in Cal. South?

L-R: Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey Sleeping in a meeting with online Jounalist and Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi sleeping on the floor of the House 

| 28 March 2018 | Ukorebi Esien 

The Deputy Speaker of the 8th Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Joseph Bassey fondly called Papa, was caught on camera in a position that presupposes he had fell into a deep slumber right in the middle of a press briefing with members of Association of Cross River online Journalist (ACROJ).

The press briefing which lasted over 55 minutes saw the Deputy Speaker in attendance for not more than 15 minutes.

Which is to say the Deputy Speaker may have slept almost throughout his stay in the meeting.

The picture of the sleeping Deputy Speaker which had gone viral on various social platforms also generated so much comments.

What makes this story unique is the fact that the Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey is gunning for the Federal House to represent Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar south, an office which Apostle Hon. Essien Ekpenyong Ayi currently occupies and he seems willing and ready to return to the House for the fifth time. 

With the release of this picture of the sleeping Deputy Speaker,  constituents have now raised major concerns as regards effective representation. 

It should also be recalled that Apst. Essien Ayi is taunted for always passing time in the green chambers as he has severally been caught sleeping on the floor of the house and during important official functions. 

This new development has thrown constituents into confusion as to which of the two sleepers will be effective sleepers in the House come 2019. 

Release money for accreditation not endorsement, CRUTECH alumni berates Ayade

| 16 March 2018 | Inyali Peter

Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) Alumni association has berated Governor Ben Ayade over government refusal to release money for the institution to prepare for National University Commission's (NUC) accreditation coming up next month.

The association maintained that the institution may shutdown next month if nothing is done urgently to fund the accreditation.

President of the association, Comrade Eyam Abeng who revealed this to newsmen in Calabar yesterday regretted that less than one month to NUC accreditation visit, the state government is yet to release a dime to the institution.

Abeng who accused the state Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade of spending money on endorsement rallies across the state at the detriment of the University quarrelled that even the loan taken for last accreditation by the university has not been cleared.

While expressing his disappointment over the seeming government negligence, he called on well meaning Cross Riverians to help the institution persuade the Governor to release funds for the accreditation.

He further revealed that the accreditation has been postponed twice due to paucity of funds adding that the last one was at the instance of the Governor who promised early release of funds to allow the university prepare but has now reneged on his promise as no funds has been released less than three weeks to the exercise.

The President said that "15 out of about 28 undergraduate programmes will be undergoing NUC accreditation by April 2018 and at this point, the Visitor to the University and Governor of Cross River State has not released a dime to the University.

"The accreditation has been rescheduled twice and the second time on the instance of the Governor. This 15 programmes cut across multiple faculties except the faculty of communication Technology.

Some of the affected departments are Physiology, Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/ Electronics Engineering, Chemistry, Architecture, Physics etc. Should  the university fail the accreditation, it will spell doom to the University as graduates of such departments will not proceed on NYSC and their certificates not recognized".

He appealed that "We are calling on the good people of Cross River State to prevail on the Governor to do the needful as Education is the true  bedrock of sustainable development and Growth of any society.

The last accreditation was carried out on a loan which is yet to be paid in full. Our appeal is that the Governor who is a Professor should not neglect Education, the only antidote against poverty"

While noting that N250Million is needed for the accreditation he added that "CRUTECH is the gate way to the hearts and minds of Cross Riverians as every home either has a graduate as a son or a student as a daughter therefore should not be allowed to die.

"We're particularly concerned and disappointed that the Governor is busy expending money on endorsement where the only state University has no fund for her accreditation. This should not happen in an administration of two Professors who spent their formative years in the University".

Obubra Community in disarray as Nigerian Lawmaker commissions signpost in C'river

| 03 March 2018 | Ukorebi Esien

Indigenes of Obubra community, a Local Government Area in central Cross River state has been thrown in disarray as the recent activities of the lawmaker representing Ikom and Obubra Local Government Areas in the Green Chambers, Hon. Mike Etaba was brought to the fore on social media.

The controversy sparked Tuesday night when an On Air Personality with the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Okan Peter shared pictures of the Honourable member commissioning a sign post.

In his post, Peter revealed that the signpost was about the only project the lawmaker had commissioned within the over three years of representation.

Peter's post as expected fired up a heated argument on Facebook with many supporting his opinion while some struggled in desperation to defend the lawmaker.

Peter's post reads in full: 

'AFTER 3 YEARS, MIKE ETABA COMMISSIONS SIGNPOST.

After close to three years of his representation, Hon. Mike Etaba, member representing Obubra/Etung federal constituency has  commissioned a signpost in his constituency. 

Recently after news filtered the air especially on social media that the house member commissioned a project, as a member of the constituency who has been disappointed for a very long time by his representation, I had to take the pains to find out what the MP commissioned only to be further disappointed, after realizing that he commissioned a signpost laced with photographs supporting the MP's claim of footing the hospital bills of some constituents, and visiting others to console them in different hospitals. 

There is also the case of another accident victim, who according to my source, the MP met at a particular chemist shop with some bruises, only to give him a paltry sum of two thousand naira. Before you start asking me what's wrong with such a gesture of kindness, remember they are those who have done a million times better without making a news item out of it, especially when viewed against the background that he is a representative of the victims. 

I am yet to see a 21th century politician who would leave so much work to be done on ground, to commission a signpost especially in an election year where every politician is doing everything to win the people's heart ahead of 2019 elections.

Little wonder his followers and immediate family members have openly labeled him a novice, failure and a good example of a bad representative.

I have no choice but to join them to say Mike Etaba is a manual on how not to be a  21st century politician.

Sooner or later, A New Obubra Is Possible'

As a direct reply to Peter's claims, Wani  Enang  revealed that Hon. Mike had actually done much more than the misrepresentation from Okan Peter speaks, his comments reads; 

"Let us not always seek to maligned our people, especially with misinformation.

That press board was constrcted by a  few youths in Appiapum. It only happened that Hon. Mike Etaba was around on the day they were supose to unveil it, compelled by courtesy it was only fair they had to beckon on their Hon. Member to kindly do the unveiling.

For the records, Hon. Mike in his natural elements is a silent achiever. He may not have been loading our individual pockets, but I bet u, he is not the worst in the National Assembly.

There is no fiscal year he has not influenced intervention projects to his constituency, at least for a first timer, he has done more than average. Hon. Mike has influence fed. Jobs for his constituents, paid fees and secretly given hug financial assistance to people. Its is because he is not a loud type people seem to abuse him with so much recklessness.

The only thing Etaba(as fondly called by his critics) is owing our expectations is the empowerment ritual which has finally become a benchmark indices for measuring legislative performance, but he has decided to opt out of bandwagon and to do it at his time, don't forget James Hardly Chase, "he who laughs last, laughs best" let's watch out for Hon. Mikes empowerment and see what he has.

Even Simon Utsu, Hon. Mike's fiercest critic admitted this morning that he has a number of bills and motions to his credit, I bet you, not all National Assembly members from CRS have sponsored even a single motion."

Enang's claim s were backed up by Richie Romanus who posted some number of bills and motions moved and presented by the lawmaker as long as pictures of projects completed.

Richie Romanus

"Mind you,this is not defending the indefensible,as a matter of fact,I won't have come close to this post if everything that is written here is true."

"Energy Commission of Nigeria Act (Repeal and Re-enactment). Bill, 2018(HB.1290) (Hon Mike Etaba) - First Reading . Commercial and Industrial Development Authority (Promotion and Incentive) Bill, 2018(HB.1291) (Hon Mike Etaba) -First Reading."

Things got out of hands when the argument became personal with threats and insults. For instance, One Abang was so frontal and raw when he told Richie Romanus that,

 "...Mike  Etaba,  no offense to him is an opportunist and he is still learning in the business so however you lick his ass and get peanuts will not change the real facts."

In his reply, Richie, fired backed with the following words:  "I wish you know my dear Abang! I wish I was defending Hon Etaba because of what I am gaining or what I hope to gain. But anyway,I owe you no explanation. Like I said earlier, I know why I am still keeping u on my friend list and I promise u,I won't block you.

Sincerely I understand your predicament and I sympathise with you. My brother, if today I become anything today, you would be making a huge mistake if you dare ascribe it to any man not even Hon. Mike Etaba. He doesn't pay me, he doesn't know how and where I live. It has just been God...

Abang I repeat, Mike is more than you in all ramifications including intellectually. You can imagine when I say a man they say cannot construct a simple sentence is better than you, that means u are really a dumb ass.

A man who became a millionaire as early as 28 courtesy of the oil business he started very early in life is the one you called an opportunist! Go look for money 300 naira chop breakfast jor.

Abang am sincerely done with you

The post which as at the time of this publication had generated over 113 comments has put the Obubra community into two divides with both halves abusing and castigating themselves. 

I sincerely don't know who will put out the fire generated by this time bomb of a post by Okan Peter.