It was Thomas Jefferson who said: “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
This is the right attitude to a Facebook post , headlined, “Boki Boils while Ayade keeps mute” written by one Odok Joseph, which was a very poorly executed hatchet job.
In a political period such as this and in an environment like Cross river state where those deficient in ideas resort to jungle political debate, such facebook article should ordinarily not deserve a response.
But since some readers and supporters of Governor Benedict Ayade may not see it the same way, it has become imperative to put the so called Odok in his right shoes.
The fact that Joseph Odok described Ayade in his article as a politician living in the past and a man who “as governor achieved visibly nothing” and that the Ayade’s regime is a failed reign”is a clear indication that the author knew nothing about Leadership and Cross river state from 1999 till date.
Odok’s contributions is only an expression of frustration and a symptom of a decay public ethic.
What every Cross riverian who understand leadership will testify is that the governor, from 2015 till date, had genuine policies that is touching on human and social development which if Odok had done same in his personal life his marriage ,career and work would have changed him for good rather than making him a reference of yewuism.
Ayade knew from the onset that he had a mandate to reach out to Cross riverians and give them a sense of belonging. He had human touch and he is compassionate.
He is empowering many young people not like the likes of Kogi and IMO who are busy empowering masquerades and statues. He felt that there was need for new ideas and creativity to be brought into governance and, because of that, young vibrant youths are in his leadership wheel. He by so doing created opportunities for a lot of people to make their own contributions to the development of the state. He was among the first governors in Nigeria to create new developmental agencies and commissions because he wanted to bring development close to the people. He introduced Homeland security outfit in partnership with other security agencies ,in his two to three years in office he has succeeded in eliminating the Scolombo boys. AYADE have been promoting peaceful co-existence in Cross river state and prevented situations that would have escalated to war.
It is on record that under Ayade’s administration, Cross river government never owe salary.
There is no oil well , donations from donor agencies are hardly available, yet he is making his remarkable achievements. So the Issue of Boki Boils AYADE keep mutes maybe a Facebook post from a bear parlour or the usual political ignorance because security of persons and properties have been a priority in Cross river state. There is no doubt that Ayade’s antecedents, political experience and grassroots presence and acceptability, present him as the best man for the Job.
For one who was a Senator and now a Performing Governor , Ayade’s place in the 2019 race will be an opportunity to use his towering national and international image to attract more developments to Cross river state. Age is still on his side and would not need to make the office his sleeping bed.
I do not wish to enter the wilderness debate with Odok over which party between PDP and APC will win the next Governorship race in Cross river as that decision is left for the people. But because the people of the state understand what quality representation means, AYADE remains the candidate for the election.
It is important to remind Odok on the 12th century Arabic saying that, “He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool. Shun him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is ignorant. Teach him. He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a wise man. Follow him. He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep. Wake him.”
