- Prof Ben Ayade has slammed Governor Bassey Otu’s media aide, Emmanuel Ogbeche, over allegations that the state was mismanaged during his administration
- Ogbeche accused Ayade of misgoverning the state and said that restoring order would require everyone’s support and collaboration
- Ayade denied receiving government approval through Whatsapp or any other social media channel
Prof Ben Ayade, the immediate past governor of Cross River State, has slammed Governor Bassey Otu’s media aide, Emmanuel Ogbeche, over allegations that the state was mismanaged during his administration.
Ogbeche, the governor’s chief press secretary, accused Ayade of misgoverning the state and said that restoring order would require everyone’s support and collaboration.
During an interactive session with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Calabar on Monday, Ogbeche claimed that during Ayade’s administration, little or no records were kept, and that approvals on matters pertaining to governance were issued via WhatsApp.
Otu inherited a rundown state, it was so badly rundown. There is no record of anything; approvals were given on WhatsApp. It will require a lot to turn the state around and thank God we have a capable and listening governor who is ready to provide the needed leadership, the CPS alleged.
In a statement issued by his media office in response to the allegations of lack of transparency levelled against him, the former governor said he was not surprised by Ogbeche’s outburst, noting that the CPS is a PDP mole planted to sow discord in the APC-led administration.
In a statement, Ayade warned Ogbeche against causing disaffection among APC members in the state, while also reminding him that he benefits from his wise decision to ensure Governor Otu’s victory in the state’s 2023 governorship election.
“Former Governor Ayade and Gov. Otu share a very cordial relationship that has lasted for years, dating back to their years as lawmakers in the National Assembly,” said his media aide, Egbelo Edward N.
It is important for Mr. Ogbeche and his cotravellers to note that such statement will be misinterpreted as a rift between Gov. Otu and his immediate predecessor, His Excelleny, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade.
We are not unaware of Mr. Ogbeche’s long standing romance with the PDP, therefore, it is now imperative to state emphatically that Mr. Ogbeche is a PDP agent sent to cause disaffection among members of the APC in Cross River State.
We advise Ogbeche to thread carefully and respect the existing peace and harmony amongst members of the APC family in Cross River State
Governor Ayade gave his all to ensure Gov. Bassey Otu emerged victorious in the last gubernatorial election, so, Mr. Ogbeche is a beneficiary of Gov. Ayade’s wise decision and shouldn’t be acting like a fifth columnist.
Ayade denied receiving government approval through Whatsapp or any other social media channel.
In this regard, the statement stated that “Ayade administration appointees are still alive and can bear testimony to the rigorous procedure of obtaining government approvals.”
Every approval, including major land allocations, compulsorily passed through the scrutiny of the Executive Council, Due Process and Audit before getting to the final nod of Governor Ayade.
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