Heads To Roll Over Ayade’s Supreme Court Victory

…As Gov Moves Against Opposing PDP Stalwarts

The Supreme Court recent affirmation of Professor Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade as the duly elected governor of Cross River State may have come at a huge cost to some members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State. UBON EKANEM writes that by upholding the Governor’s candidature and election, challenged by Ntufam Joe Agi, also of PDP, on grounds of alleged falsification of age, the Apex Court may have inadvertently nailed the political coffins of some arrow heads in the bitter struggle to unseat the smooth-talking Professor who obtained his Ph.D, winning the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in Environmental Microbiology from University of Ibadan

The political temperature in Cross River State is definitely heating up as the future of some notable Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Stalwarts in Cross River State now hangs on the balance over their alleged disloyalty to the State’s indefatigable power broker. Insiders and watchers of political events said the usual peaceful ambience for which this coastal state is known for stands threatened with strong speculations that Governor Ben Ayade has concluded plans to apply the sledge hammer on all those seen or perceived to have played roles in the age declarations saga that was finally laid to rest by the Supreme Court ruling on December 9, 2016. Forefront gathered the governor is reportedly highly miffed by the activities of some respected PDP Chieftains in the state who openly fraternized with his dreaded political opponent, Ntufam Joe Agi (SAN) who had dragged him to court over the age falsification and perjury accusations. Competent sources revealed that close aides of the governor are already pointing accusing fingers in the direction of Apostle (Hon) Essien Ayi, the House of Representative member, representing Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi Federal Constituency as the arrow head of the ‘renegades’ comprising senior PDP chieftains, including a former State chairman, a Senator and some House of Representatives members in the seventh Assembly as well as some serving and former lawmakers and Local government councilors in the state. In promoting the conspiracy theory against the Governor, Apostle Ayi is accused of being the brain behind the printing of large quantity of T-shirts, souvenirs and other publicity materials meant for distribution to party faithful who were mobilized to herald the expected triumphant entry of Ntufam Joe Agi into the state, if the Supreme Court ruling had tilted in his favour. With the split decision ruling thoroughly deflating the opposition and bruising their political ego, sources said there is serious maneuverings and growing agitations within the Government House circles for the Governor Ayade to come down heavily on those his cronies described as ‘traitors and saboteurs’ within the state chapter of PDP. According to one of the top PDP stalwarts, who did not want his name in print, Governor Ayade has been under intense pressure since the apex court judgment to apply the big stick on all known followers, sympathizers and supporters of party chieftains who overtly or covertly worked to upturn his victory at the courts. Information pieced together by Forefront indicate that part of the political sanctions being canvassed include booting out of office all political appointees associated with or sponsored by the ‘erring’ PDP chieftains and their allies. Similarly, another proposal is to drop from the already compiled list those earlier earmarked for appointment as caretaker committee members for the 18 Local Government Councils at the expiration of the present chairmen and councilors’ tenure this December ending. However, despite the growing pressure, it was learnt that the governor and his inner caucus are a bit restrained in embracing the unbending posturing by the radical wing, which is proposing immediate and stringent actions against the ‘rebels’. Our sources revealed that for the moderates within the camp, caution remains the watchword with the warning that extra care should be taken before such sweeping action is taken. For this group, it is important to guard against any action likely to cause political turmoil in the State PDP and eventually lead to what some of them warned could be ‘political suicide’ for the governor and his second term ambition. More so, there are subtle moves by strategists within the governor’s camp to re-configure political alignments and support base within the state. Their strategic thinking is that sanctions against the ‘renegades’ should be on hold until the coast is clear to dismantle existing structures that is not favourably disposed to protecting the governor’s socio-economic and political vision for the state. Curiously though, sources within the camp that worked assiduously to upset the applecart in favour of Ntufam Agi’s enthronement as governor, have continued to laugh off the threat as ‘wishful thinking’ on the part of the governor and his ‘praise singers’. One of the PDP kingpins, who described the Governor as a ‘political neophyte who thinks he can throw away the baby and the bath water’, told Forefront that “We are waiting for him to make the expected move so that our political machinery can go to work in pulling the carpet off his feet in what may become one of the most carefully executed scheming in the state political history’. Another insider also delivered a boastful submission to prove how comfortable and unshaken their camp is in the face of looming danger to their political careers. According to him, “It is only a kindergarten politician surrounded by a small mass of political greenhorns with no political clouts and bearing in their different wards that would think of challenging battle-tested heavyweights who have the nitty-gritty of party politics at their finger tips.” Perceived as ‘defiant’ by the governor’s camp, these loyalists have vowed to remain within the PDP fold as spoilers with the intention of causing severe harm when the time is ripe. Forefront gathered that with their eyes on 2019, emerging signals indicate the next general elections would not be an easy ride for the Obudu-born State Chief Executive as foes within continue to threaten that the battle line has been drawn even if it means surrendering the state on a platter of gold to any opposing political parties come 2019. Speculations are rife that the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Liyel lmoke is sympathetic to the cause of this aggrieved group that is frustrated by Ayade’s queer style of governance. Findings from the former Governor’s camp hinted that animosity between both sides is so deep rooted that Senator Ayade may be sitting on a keg of political gun powder programmed to explode either before or during the next general elections. Though our sources refused to confirm or deny the story making the rounds in the state political circles, Forefront learnt the fury being emitted from Imoke’s camp hinges what it considers Ayade’s deliberate strategy of rendering irrelevant in the current dispensation all aides and loyalists of the former governor on the pretext of spreading the pie around. “But I can assure you that the former governor and his men are no fools. It is obvious for them to see that this man, who effortlessly rode to power on the back of our party leaders, is already biting the fingers that fed him. Without being told, he is now trying so hard to destroy us and set up his own political structure in preparation for year 2019”, a close aide of the former governor confided on this magazine. There are also conjectures within the party that arrogance smells happy-go-luckily in the corridors of power with wide-spread claims the governor off-handedly told some of his appointees that they were only brought on board to put food on their table rather than their unsolicited engagements in governance issues. Significantly, confirmation of the simmering political intrigues within the State PDP reared its ugly head recently with the high-tech drama that took place during the thanksgiving service by the Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Pastor Usani Usani on December 3, 2016 at Liberty Bible Church in Calabar, ahead of the Supreme Court judgment of December 9, 2016. On that occasion, Governor Ayade praised President Muhammadu Buhari and the Acting Chief Judge of the Federation, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen to high heavens with Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State further sign-posting the drama when given the pulpit to deliver his speech, he asked rhetorically why people chose to hate an erudite and handsome looking governor like Professor Ben Ayade. Given this ‘stage show’ beautifully crafted by Governor Ayade and orchestrated in an uncommon style by his brother governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, frayed nerves are yet to be calmed over the widely held notion across the state that it was the strings pulled by some influential APC governors among other forces that saved the governor’s seat for Ayade. Therefore, as a likely payback for this ‘great favour’ at the Supreme Court, there are insinuations the Cross River Chief Executive may have lost faith in the State PDP. So, his men Friday are now up in arms exploring all available options, including the possibility of jumping ship to romance with the governing APC at the centre. But as events continue to unfold, political commentators said dumping the party that brought him to power could mark the governor’s untimely political demise, given the strong political sentiments of the South-south towards the PDP. The election of Ayade, a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was contested by Ntufam Agi, also of the PDP. Agi had dragged the Governor to the Federal High Court claiming among other reliefs that Ayade was parading conflicting age declarations, arguing that by the Party’s constitution, the respondent was not qualified to be its governorship candidate. Agi however lost on July 31, 2015 after Justice Abdul Kafarati dismissed the suit on grounds that the matter was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. That judgment was subsequently upheld by three Appeal Court Justices led by Justice Tinuade Akomolefe. Strangely, the PDP had, in its submission at the Supreme Court, canvassed Ayade’s removal from office over the alleged age falsification in favour of Chief Agi, who placed second duing the party’s December 8, 2014 gubernatorial primaries.

The political temperature in Cross River State is definitely heating up as the future of some notable Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Stalwarts in Cross River State now hangs on the balance over their alleged disloyalty to the State’s indefatigable power broker. Insiders and watchers of political events said the usual peaceful ambience for which this coastal state is known for stands threatened with strong speculations that Governor Ben Ayade has concluded plans to apply the sledge hammer on all those seen or perceived to have played roles in the age declarations saga that was finally laid to rest by the Supreme Court ruling on December 9, 2016. Forefront gathered the governor is reportedly highly miffed by the activities of some respected PDP Chieftains in the state who openly fraternized with his dreaded political opponent, Ntufam Joe Agi (SAN) who had dragged him to court over the age falsification and perjury accusations. Competent sources revealed that close aides of the governor are already pointing accusing fingers in the direction of Apostle (Hon) Essien Ayi, the House of Representative member, representing Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi Federal Constituency as the arrow head of the ‘renegades’ comprising senior PDP chieftains, including a former State chairman, a Senator and some House of Representatives members in the seventh Assembly as well as some serving and former lawmakers and Local government councilors in the state. In promoting the conspiracy theory against the Governor, Apostle Ayi is accused of being the brain behind the printing of large quantity of T-shirts, souvenirs and other publicity materials meant for distribution to party faithful who were mobilized to herald the expected triumphant entry of Ntufam Joe Agi into the state, if the Supreme Court ruling had tilted in his favour. With the split decision ruling thoroughly deflating the opposition and bruising their political ego, sources said there is serious maneuverings and growing agitations within the Government House circles for the Governor Ayade to come down heavily on those his cronies described as ‘traitors and saboteurs’ within the state chapter of PDP. According to one of the top PDP stalwarts, who did not want his name in print, Governor Ayade has been under intense pressure since the apex court judgment to apply the big stick on all known followers, sympathizers and supporters of party chieftains who overtly or covertly worked to upturn his victory at the courts. Information pieced together by Forefront indicate that part of the political sanctions being canvassed include booting out of office all political appointees associated with or sponsored by the ‘erring’ PDP chieftains and their allies. Similarly, another proposal is to drop from the already compiled list those earlier earmarked for appointment as caretaker committee members for the 18 Local Government Councils at the expiration of the present chairmen and councilors’ tenure this December ending. However, despite the growing pressure, it was learnt that the governor and his inner caucus are a bit restrained in embracing the unbending posturing by the radical wing, which is proposing immediate and stringent actions against the ‘rebels’. Our sources revealed that for the moderates within the camp, caution remains the watchword with the warning that extra care should be taken before such sweeping action is taken. For this group, it is important to guard against any action likely to cause political turmoil in the State PDP and eventually lead to what some of them warned could be ‘political suicide’ for the governor and his second term ambition. More so, there are subtle moves by strategists within the governor’s camp to re-configure political alignments and support base within the state. Their strategic thinking is that sanctions against the ‘renegades’ should be on hold until the coast is clear to dismantle existing structures that is not favourably disposed to protecting the governor’s socio-economic and political vision for the state. Curiously though, sources within the camp that worked assiduously to upset the applecart in favour of Ntufam Agi’s enthronement as governor, have continued to laugh off the threat as ‘wishful thinking’ on the part of the governor and his ‘praise singers’. One of the PDP kingpins, who described the Governor as a ‘political neophyte who thinks he can throw away the baby and the bath water’, told Forefront that “We are waiting for him to make the expected move so that our political machinery can go to work in pulling the carpet off his feet in what may become one of the most carefully executed scheming in the state political history’. Another insider also delivered a boastful submission to prove how comfortable and unshaken their camp is in the face of looming danger to their political careers. According to him, “It is only a kindergarten politician surrounded by a small mass of political greenhorns with no political clouts and bearing in their different wards that would think of challenging battle-tested heavyweights who have the nitty-gritty of party politics at their finger tips.” Perceived as ‘defiant’ by the governor’s camp, these loyalists have vowed to remain within the PDP fold as spoilers with the intention of causing severe harm when the time is ripe. Forefront gathered that with their eyes on 2019, emerging signals indicate the next general elections would not be an easy ride for the Obudu-born State Chief Executive as foes within continue to threaten that the battle line has been drawn even if it means surrendering the state on a platter of gold to any opposing political parties come 2019. Speculations are rife that the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Liyel lmoke is sympathetic to the cause of this aggrieved group that is frustrated by Ayade’s queer style of governance. Findings from the former Governor’s camp hinted that animosity between both sides is so deep rooted that Senator Ayade may be sitting on a keg of political gun powder programmed to explode either before or during the next general elections. Though our sources refused to confirm or deny the story making the rounds in the state political circles, Forefront learnt the fury being emitted from Imoke’s camp hinges what it considers Ayade’s deliberate strategy of rendering irrelevant in the current dispensation all aides and loyalists of the former governor on the pretext of spreading the pie around. “But I can assure you that the former governor and his men are no fools. It is obvious for them to see that this man, who effortlessly rode to power on the back of our party leaders, is already biting the fingers that fed him. Without being told, he is now trying so hard to destroy us and set up his own political structure in preparation for year 2019”, a close aide of the former governor confided on this magazine. There are also conjectures within the party that arrogance smells happy-go-luckily in the corridors of power with wide-spread claims the governor off-handedly told some of his appointees that they were only brought on board to put food on their table rather than their unsolicited engagements in governance issues. Significantly, confirmation of the simmering political intrigues within the State PDP reared its ugly head recently with the high-tech drama that took place during the thanksgiving service by the Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Pastor Usani Usani on December 3, 2016 at Liberty Bible Church in Calabar, ahead of the Supreme Court judgment of December 9, 2016. On that occasion, Governor Ayade praised President Muhammadu Buhari and the Acting Chief Judge of the Federation, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen to high heavens with Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State further sign-posting the drama when given the pulpit to deliver his speech, he asked rhetorically why people chose to hate an erudite and handsome looking governor like Professor Ben Ayade. Given this ‘stage show’ beautifully crafted by Governor Ayade and orchestrated in an uncommon style by his brother governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, frayed nerves are yet to be calmed over the widely held notion across the state that it was the strings pulled by some influential APC governors among other forces that saved the governor’s seat for Ayade. Therefore, as a likely payback for this ‘great favour’ at the Supreme Court, there are insinuations the Cross River Chief Executive may have lost faith in the State PDP. So, his men Friday are now up in arms exploring all available options, including the possibility of jumping ship to romance with the governing APC at the centre. But as events continue to unfold, political commentators said dumping the party that brought him to power could mark the governor’s untimely political demise, given the strong political sentiments of the South-south towards the PDP. The election of Ayade, a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was contested by Ntufam Agi, also of the PDP. Agi had dragged the Governor to the Federal High Court claiming among other reliefs that Ayade was parading conflicting age declarations, arguing that by the Party’s constitution, the respondent was not qualified to be its governorship candidate. Agi however lost on July 31, 2015 after Justice Abdul Kafarati dismissed the suit on grounds that the matter was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. That judgment was subsequently upheld by three Appeal Court Justices led by Justice Tinuade Akomolefe. Strangely, the PDP had, in its submission at the Supreme Court, canvassed Ayade’s removal from office over the alleged age falsification in favour of Chief Agi, who placed second duing the party’s December 8, 2014 gubernatorial primaries.