By Matthew Okache
Though there is no significant controversy about the statewide loyalty to the all-important decision of Governor Ben Ayade to dump the PDP for the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Yala nation has slated the 10th of July, 2021, for a grand reception of defectors from the area into the APC, to highlight their unflinching support for the Governor and his pragmatic leadership.
Governor Ayade, whose all-inclusive and purposeful leadership, especially in youth involvement and expansion of governance, as well as the giant strides and deliverables, has rejiggered the political dynamics of the State. The reality (support, acceptance and followership) that has greeted the Governor’s new alliance with the ruling All Progressive Congress is such that typifies the farsightedness and purpose of ‘Ayadeism.’ And with the ‘Who’s Who’ of Yala extraction, in unison, joining the new alliance in the APC, the Unity Rally, in its grandeur, will punctuate the Yala nation’s consensus to bury the any existence of PDP in the area and pitch tent with Governor Ayade’s decision to socket the state to the Centre; an act motivated purely by altruism.
The Yala nation, blessed with a considerable number of appointments in the Ayade-led administration is bidding to cement her position as the epicenter of support for Governor Ayade, aligning with Martin Luther’s postulation that “Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved.”
The Unity Rally would also serve as a sign of gratitude to the Governor for his magnanimity and confidence towards the Yala people in his administration, where a great number of people who hitherto had nothing to do with government, are now holding critical positions and part of the governance architecture of the State.
The Yala political fiesta which would be led by the Council Chairman, Barrister Fabian O Ogbeche, would also boast of the esteemed presence of distinguished personalities like High Chief Higgins Peter’s Oko, Dr Julius Okputu, Hon Larry Odey, Chief O C Bravo, Hon John Ulafor, Hon Stella Odey, Hon Sunday Oko, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Hon Emmanuel Asegem, Chief Jude Ogbeche Ngaji, Hon Dan Ugbama, Hon Victor Odo Omaga, Hon Theresa Ezama, Hon Gab Gabe Ugor, Hon John Eyikwaje, Chief Igele Ekpe, Chief Henry Onwe, Mr Mark Ujor, Hon Christian Ikiri, Mr Denis Egere, Hon Ogana Lukpata, Hon Fred Okem, Dr Hippolatus Lukpata , Hon Theresa Ezama, Mrs Mary Odey , Barrister Fidel Egoro, Mr John Ngwu, Ebriku John Friday, Mr Matthew Okache, amongst others, offers just a fleck of what a support base the Yala nation holds for the Governor.
With these amalgamation of The Who’s Who in Yala into the APC, questions as to who is left in the extinct Peoples Democratic Party in the area would be mere rhetorics.
On Saturday, the 10th of July, 2021, Yala would officially cement her place as a political sanctum and stronghold of the APC in Cross River State. Keep a date with us.
By Matthew Okache
