The Cross River State Government has expressed strong reservations over disparaging comments against its leadership which are credited to the Governor of Rivers State.
The government said in its reaction to Wike’s comment that it sees the description of Ben Ayade, a Professor and Governor of Cross River State as one of the loyal boys of Abuja as very offensive.
In a statement issued by the State Commissioner of Information, Asu Okang, the Government of Cross River warned Governor Nyesom Wike to desist from unnecessary attacks on Governor Ben Ayade.
The statement described Professor Ayade as a man of impeccable character and integrity who is working assiduously to improve the lot of ordinary Cross Riverians.
Okang observed that Wike’s attacks on a brother governor elected on the same political platform was horrendous and totally unacceptable.
“It should be made crystal clear here that Governor Wike need not make reference to Governor Ayade and Cross River State in such a disparaging manner,but should have gone ahead to state his case and grievances against the APC- controlled Federal Government in Abuja”, the Commissioner stressed.
According to him, “The attention of the Government of Cross River State has been drawn to the unsavory innuendos and disparaging remarks made by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Mr. Nyesom Wike against his colleague”.
Urging Governor Wike to refrain from publicly assaulting Professor Ayade whom he described as a digital governor, the commissioner hinted that there are existing channels of communication which are open to governments for the purpose of exchanging ideas even in the face of differing positions.
Okang said it was equally wrong and disrespectful for a State Governor to refer to his colleague the way the Rivers Governor did to Ayade during “a media briefing on Rivers State progress report on the rampaging Corona Virus pandemic which was broadcast live on AIT and several online media as well as Radio and Television Stations.:
“The State Government”, the commissioner explained, “frowns at this unnecessary vituperations by a brother Governor from the same geo-political zone and political party.
“Governor Ayade is a highly revered Gentleman with sound character and high pedigree and of exceptional moral standing who has long understood the difference between party politics and governance.
“Elections we know, are long gone and it is now time for good governance for the overall interest of the citizenry.”
“Okang further noted, “Governor Ayade’s enviable relationship with the The President at the centre should not be misconstrued as a weakness or a lazy approach to governance that should now earn him the tag “Loyal boy.
“While we take exceptions to such disparaging remarks, Government further enjoins Governor Wike to play politics with ethics and sound political judgement as well as refrain from casting aspersions on the character of his colleagues, leading to hasty generalization.
“Cross River and Rivers States have come a long way as brothers and whatever differences their Leaders may have in approach to governance should be canvassed at their appropriate high level meetings and not discussed in the public domain such as a live Media Programme.”
Wike had referred to a statement made by Governor Ayade, saying, had he been the one who did so, it would have been construed to mean that he is fighting with the Federal Government.
He noted that because Ayade whom he described as one of their boys was credited with making such a remark, there have been no reactions.