By Egar Abip Sunday
This morning, we woke up to read a very childish and petty piece on the Facebook wall of Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe. To some of us who are used to his usual gimmicks, It was not shocking. Over the years, he has continuously displayed ignorance on issues that concern intellectual minds.
As always, Gov. Ayade will let it slide because he pays no attention to Jarigbe’s several blackmails. Everybody knows Jarigbe and Gov. Ayade can never be on the same level. Ayade was already an accomplished businessman before he ventured into politics. On the other hand, Jarigbe has been a politician all his life. No experience elsewhere. He breathes and survives on politics
He claims Gov. Ayade does not have an operational commissioned project. This is obviously a lie and raises a question mark on the state of Jarigbe’s mental health. Unarguably, Jarigbe has the penchant of blackmailing those he considers his political foes. One would not be surprised if he plays blind to the so many projects constructed by Gov. Ayade. All commissioned and functional till date.
Ogoja today has one of the biggest Rice Mills in the country, but that pinches Jarigbe like an ant. He hates to see Ayade celebrated. The Ricemill was constructed by Ayade, commissioned by the Emir of Kano. To date, that Ricemill is operational with products spread across major markets in Nigeria. The other day I was in Aba, I saw “Ogoja Rice” in a shop, I was so excited because I hail from Ogoja and I know for sure that Ogoja has never had it this good. That’s legacy!
The Rice Seedling factory in Calabar was completed by Gov. Ayade and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari. Pres Buhari himself celebrated Gov. Ayade for conceiving such a project. He described it as a landmark achievement. This clearly pains Jarigbe, why will it be Ayade? It should have been the man in Rivers whom he worships as a deity.
The Cross River State Garment Factory was commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Prof. Osinbajo at that time was the Acting President of Nigeria. This project is one of the many legacy projects of the Gov. Ben Ayade led administration.
Obudu today has a German hospital, which is one of the many achievements of Governor Ayade. The hospital runs 24/7 to date. Constructed by Gov. Ayade, commissioned by the Emir of Kano. But again, he hates to be reminded that it was constructed by Ayade because the name hits him like an Angelus bell in a monastery. But no matter how he tries to shy away from the truth, that edifice is one of the numerous achievements of Gov. Ayade.
Ayade started and completed the Odukpani to Calabar Road Dualization project. This project was commissioned by the Emir of Kano. Today, that road provides easy access to the city centre. It has also addressed the issue of traffic congestion in that area. Let’s pretend Jarigbe did not know, we urge him to go and verify.
The Gas fired power plant in Tinapa was completed and commissioned by the Gov. Ayade led administration.
What about the chicken processing factory in Calabar? Constructed by Ayade. The factory was commissioned by the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Ruler’s Council. The Cross River Feedmill, Noodles factory, bagging factory all commissioned by the Chairman of the Traditional Ruler’s Council and constructed by Gov. Ayade as well. But Jarigbe hates to know that Ayade constructed these factories, which are still running to date.
The Obudu International Cargo Airport is currently at its completion stage. Gov. Ayade started that project and left it at 85% completion. All equipment and furniture for the airpot procured by Gov. Ayade before he left office. Today, Gov. Otu is completing the airport . That project is a landmark achievement.
As you travel to Ogoja from Calabar just close to Biase Local Government Secretariat at Akpet Central, there’s a beautiful edifice painted in yellow. It shares boundary with the LG secretariat. That building is the Teacher’s Continuous Training Institute. That project is also an incredible achievement of Gov. Ayade. It was commissioned by Gov. Ayade himself. It is 100% operational. Maybe that is Jarigbe’s most preferred spot to take a nap whenever he’s travelling on that road.
Land clearing for the Superhighway was 100 percent done, but sponsored petitions made the federal government stop the project for 3 whole years. Those are the kind of news Jarigbe loves to hear. A saddist hates to see development that will ease the suffering of other people
When this same Jarigbe needed support to bury his late mother, Gov. Ayade offered him a shoulder to lean on. Jarigbe obviously thinks if Ayade is made Minister, it will spoil his chances of returning to the Senate in 2027. But well, unlike Jarigbe, who is a popular visitor in shrines, seeking to destroy people, Ayade prays Betta be returned as Minister.
There’s a new road in Boki today. Goes through Eastern Boki to the Western part of the Local Government Area. That road was constructed with a bridge by Governor Ayade. There’s also a British/Canadian University in Obudu constructed by Gov. Ayade. But as usual, Jarigbe would rather patronize Baze University than attend a university built by Ayade. The name “Ayade” obviously torments him. But why?
As Governor, Prof. Ayade spent 226 billion Naira on debts servicing. With a monthly wage bill of 3.6 billion Naira. He still completed projects running into billions of Naira. We will ask questions and show budget details the billion cost of constituency projects Jarigbe gets at first choice of bid to provide our poor communities with street lightings as crumbs, soon our people will know the exact details of the actual budget sum. 300 million naira was disbursed to Jarigbe to purchase and distribute rice to his constituents to celebrate Xmas, where is the rice? At the appropriate time, Jarigbe will be held accountable.
Suddenly, Jarigbe has forgotten the many times he ran to Gov. Ayade for help? He has forgotten when he went on his knees, pleading with the former Governor to intervene on his behalf so that he would not be embarrassed out of office by Maj. Obi Odu due to his forged certificate. Jarigbe needed Ayade’s cover to enable him survive the certificate scandal. Politics is clearly his only means of survival.
