…hails Gov’s prudent management of resources
….commends Ayade for including C’River among APC States
By Ebriku John Friday
The Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has assured that the move to recover the State’s assets is not a mission of vendetta but in the interest of the state and our people.
Ayambem gave the assurance during a chat with journalists in Abuja, to debunk rumour making the rounds that the leadership of the State Assembly is on revenge mission on perceived individuals in the previous administrations.
This is just as the Speaker hailed the State Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Otu his prudent management of resources, curbing wastages and delivering purposeful leadership to the people of Cross River State, saying Governor Bassey Otu is ranked among the best serving governors in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Speaker acknowledged the immediate past Governor of the State, Prof Ben Ayade for moving the political structure of the State to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and this decision is favouring the development of the State.
He further stated that despite all odds, the APC family and supporters were dogged and determined to ensure the leadership of the State was retained by the APC, and that paid off in the 2023 governorship election, which orchestrated the victory and emergence of Governor Bassey Otu.
According to him (Ayambem), it was ‘divine’ direction for moving from the PDP to APC, which led to the party having Governor Otu as a blessing, therefore, there will be massive development across the State, siting Calabar, the State capital now having no potholes.
He said: “If we have not moved to the APC, Cross River State wouldn’t have been blessed with a Governor like Senator Bassey Otu. I give it to the former Governor, Sen Prof Ben Ayade then because moving to the APC is like leaving Manchester United for Wiki Tourists.
“As at then you know how scattered APC was, and in the 9th Assembly I was the last to move to the APC because I wasn’t sure, the uncertainties then was too obvious whether we are going to make any headway.
“But I must give it to the then Governor, because he tried to have navigated that water and bringing everybody back to the APC. Thought lots of members of the PDP left for the APC, lots more stayed back that was why you see that election was keenly contested in 2023. In the North Jarigbe swept everywhere except member from Obudu.
“Also I think God has a hand in that transition, moving from the PDP to APC, because if we had stayed in PDP, we wouldn’t have been blessed with the kind of Governor we have now. So I see that part to be God’s orchestration.
“Today, Calabar that we all know now has zero potholes. And I can tell you authoritatively that Governor Bassey Otu is delivering purposeful leadership in Cross River State.”
