Days after officially declaring for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State is leaving no stone unturned to reflect his new status as the party leader in the state.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Ayade who became a senator, won his first and second term governorship elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the APC on Thursday, May 20, 2021. However, the romance with the PDP seems over for good as the PDP secretariat in the state is now about wearing the APC colours.
On Saturday morning, security forces led by the Police were seen guarding the erstwhile PDP secretariat in the state as painters immediately began the painting and cresting of the building with APC colours, logo and flags.
The development happened at the same time Local Government Council chairmen, a National Assembly member and many political appointees in government started registering in good numbers as APC members.
One of the two members of the National Assembly that have decided to follow Governor Ayade, Hon. Mike Etaba, representing, Obubra/Etung Federal Consistency spoke after his registration as APC member in his local ward.
He said, “I am an Ayade foot soldier for all seasons and i will continue to stand with Governor Ben Ayade beyond 2023.
“We must continue to play politics with ethics devoid of violence. The decision of governor Ben Ayade to affiliate with the centre is a smart choice and we will continue to follow who know road for the generality of all Cross Riverians.”
On the issue of the new secretariat for the APC, the local government council chairman of Calabar Municipality, Elder Effefiong Nta Eke noted that the State Governor who was the leader of the PDP decided to defect to the ruling APC for the benefit of the state.
“So the scenario you are seeing here is that the leader has moved to a new party so every component, including the secretariat of the former, must follow the leader to the new.”
Asked if the decision to use the former PDP secretariat for the APC will not breed conflict or violent reactions, he said no, revealing that the governor was paying the rent and when it expired for some time ago, those who claim to be founding members did not contribute a dime until Ayade came and renewed the rent.
According to him, “Ayade is not taking anything belonging to a body. He is taking what belongs to him. He paid the rent so the rent follows him to the APC.”
Police warn trouble makers not to disturb renovation works
Meanwhile the police in a statement signed by DSP Irene Ugbo disclosed of an attempt by some persons to disrupt the renovation “work going on at a building at No: 142 (a ) along the Muritala Mohammed Highway Calabar.”
The Police statement said, “For the avoidance of doubt the property is a rented property that its “Tenancy” is not in ‘Contention.
“As a responsible Command, we will not sit back and watch any Person(s) come to disrupt the relative peace we have worked tirelessly to achieve. All are warned to maintain Peace, Law and Order.
“The current situation is a wake-up call to Men of Character to rise and put resources together to put up a Structure that will not be contentious in future.
“The Cross River Police Command will not hesitate to deal decisively with any unlawful action with the full weight of the law.”
The police statement was signed by DSP Irene Ugbo, the Police Public Relations officer, Cross River State Police Command.