Ayade Faces Bleak Political Future For Dumping PDP
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Less than twenty-four hours after finally parting ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take solace in the All Progressive Congress (APC), the coast seems still not clear for Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River to enjoy total control of elected political structure in the South South State.
This is as insiders maintained that the future seems quite hazy for the embattled governor as he may be in for a long-drawn survival battle for his political life with the recent developments.
Close aides of the governor admit that it is not yet uhuru for him as the former PDP structures within the state have failed to fully dissolve into the APC platform as earlier envisaged in his defection plans.
Some of the aides confided in Forefront that most PDP stalwarts have vowed to stay put in the party except Ayade is now ready to fulfill all the mouth-watering promises made to them in the past in order to secure their loyalty.
Forefront learnt that among the Governor’s promises that the PDP chieftains want sorted out immediately, include the payment of a monthly stipends of N30,000 each to 10 party faithful across all the polling units within the state as well as adequate funding for some self-styled ‘Ayade’s Brigade’ and those that consider themselves as his foot-soldiers at the grassroots’ level.
“Most of those now holding him to ransom were promised huge financial rewards and juicy appointments during the local government councils’ election that saw the governor’s preferred candidates sweeping all the Chairmanship and councillorship positions in the 18 local government areas of the state. But regrettably, Governor Ayade, in his usual self, seems to have forgotten about such promises immediately after the polls were won and lost”, one of the stakeholders confided in our reporter
It was also gathered that keeping the heat on Governor Ayade are the Southern Senatorial District stakeholders forum whose eyes are fixed on taking a shot at the governorship seat come 2023 general elections.
Competent sources confirmed that the stakeholders are insisting they will be willing to jump ship with the governor to APC if only there are assurances the ruling party would guarantee them the 2023 gubernatorial ticket as the bargaining chip.
Another stumbling block on Ayade’s new political direction are members of the State Executive Council (SEC), especially the Commissioners whose loyalty he can no longer vouch for as many of them seem to have shifted their allegiance to members of the State National Assembly Caucus of PDP.
Similarly, insiders hinted that the Governor’s movement to APC is yet to effectively receive an official endorsement from the State House of Assembly. Feelers from the Legislative arm of government indicate that the lawmakers are divided over the development with some still weighing available options for their political future and grassroots’ support.
However, there is still good news for Governor Ayade with his movement to APC boosted by support from the 18 Local Government Chairmen and the elected Councilors in the State.
And in appreciation, Governor Ayade has commended the people of Cross River for their loyalty and support, against all odds and throughout his political sojourn in PDP.
In a press statement in Calabar, the governor said his long wait for justice cannot continue ‘ad-infinitum’ given that the PDP hierarchy has remained mum over who controls the party structure in the state.
Trouble started for the Obudu-born Chief Executive when the State National Assembly Caucus outsmarted him to snatch the PDP structure from his control during the last state congress of the party. Regrettably, all efforts by the governor and his backers to persuade the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on a change of heart and reasoning why he should be in charge as the practice direction in other PDP-controlled State fell on deaf-ears.
The situation further spiraled out of control with no remedy in sight when the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the Cross River North Senatorial bye-election in favour of the governor’s rival candidate, Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe.
With this development, Governor Ayade, who supported Dr Stephen Odey for the Senatorial seat that became vacant by the death of Senator Rose Oko, felt helpless, knowing that he may have lost complete control of the soul of PDP in the State.
Though long in coming, the signs were already ominous in the air following the twists and turns of events that Ayade was on his way out of PDP, especially given his recent face-off with the Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
So for now, the dust over the governor’s defection to APC may not settle quite easily. Political watchers believe that having been successfully wooed by APC Governors into their fold, the challenge now for Governor Ayade is to prove his mettle and political relevance in seeking greener pastures and a new political future for the people of Cross River State.
