Economic activities
were Tuesday brought to a halt in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State
as drivers, cyclists and artisans from the six local government areas of the
Central Senatorial District, endorsed the return of Governor Ben Ayade to
Government House, Calabar.
As early as 7am, the Ikom bridge through Federal Government College to the age
long Government Secondary School (GOVISCO) witnessed the influx of supporters
of the governor, chanting solidarity songs and displaying banners and placards
in support of the return of Prof Ayade.
While drivers left their occupation of conveying passengers to mark the event,
motorcyclists were adorned in their reflective vests and safety helmets as they
performed all forms of skills to thrill the crowd who later joined in chanting,
“Ayade na you we know,” “salary master, you no get opponent here
ooo,” “Master of industrialization, come back and do more,”
among others.
Food and drink vendors were not left out as they had a field day selling their
products to the thousands of visitors drawn from Abi, Yarkurr, Obubra, Etung,
Boki and host Ikom, for the historic event.
At the final muster point (GOVISCO field), decorated with red, green and white
colours, Chairman, Cross River Intercity Drivers, Mr. Johnson Julius, said
“from all the candidates, if there is any other in any other party, we
unarguably stand for Ayade because he has proved himself a man with the heart
of gold through his love and care.”
According to Julius, “we are witnesses to Ayade’s numerous projects spread
across the state and we conveniently want him back to continue this good
works,” adding that, “anywhere men gather to deprive us of these
benefits, Holy Ghost fire.”
Continuing, the chairman said our members “denied ourselves the gains of our
various occupations today in order to honour this man, Ayade as proof of our
love for him while ensuring that Saturday this week, we keep to our words to
return him not only because it is the turn of his zone to produce a governor
but because he focuses on stamping out poverty from our land.”
On his part, the chairman of Artisans Association, Comrade Ofonime Asuquo said
said members of the association were beneficiaries of the governor’s industrialization
policy.
“We are the beneficiaries of Ayade’s industrialization policy because we
are the ones that will occupy the space more,” asking rethorically
“who again will do all these for us and how and when will such a person
start same?”
Asuquo however called on Ayade to stretch appointments to members of his
group as well as create a mechanic village in Ikom so as to further beautify
the area while giving it a facelift.
Head of local government administration (HOLGA- Ikom), Julius Adie, lauded
the various groups for seeing in Ayade, his esteemed policies aimed at
transforming the state and placing food on the tables of the citizenry through
appointments and creation of jobs.
Adie who took inventory of the various projects handled by the Ayade led
administration and spread across the eighteen local government areas of the
state, maintained that, “most of you will turn to employers of labour as
soon as the cocoa factory and others are commissioned because the projects were
conceived to enrich the youths who hitherto were viewed as beggars, waiting for
one politician to grease their palms only when dirty jobs were done.”
The HOLGA further announced to drivers, cyclists and artisans that,
“because you have shown this solidarity, coming out in your numbers to
endorse the return of Governor Ben Ayade to Government House, Calabar, none of
you should pay your ticket fee for one week. I hereby direct that you don’t pay
your daily ticket fee one week.”
Others who spoke including the Government Secondary School, Ikom vice
principal (Administration) Nzan Adie, as well as past and present chairmen of
the various local government drivers and cyclists union, stressed the need to
continue to queue behind Ayade for the sustainability of his policies, vision
and salary styles which has turned Cross River into the envy of others.
Managing Director, TINAPA, and immediate past chairman of Ikom, Ojong
Ayiba said, “before now, youths were believed to be the leaders of
tomorrow but today, Ayade has changed that old tradition by repositioning the
youths to be the leaders of today.”
Ojong who argued that Ayade has no opposition as he seek a return,
sensitised the people that, “the law still demands that even when you have
no political opponent, the electorates must queue, vote and wisely protect
their votes to enable the candidate clinch the said position,” adding
that, “we don’t have any reason not to vote for a man who has place food
on the tables for many of us.”
Responding, Governor Ayade thanked them for the endorsement.
Ayade who was represented by the Commissioner of Gas resources, Barr.
Chris Njar, used the occasion to appraise CrossRiverians for the peaceful
conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections, a feat he enjoined
them to sustain as the governorship and state houses of Assembly holds on
Saturday.
The governor who explained that he plays politics with ethics, noted
that “politics should not be played with people lives as human life
remains sacrosanct and must not be toyed with in the seek for power.”
According to Ayade, “what is governance when your people go to bed
hungry and face security challenges? This, the governor averred that, he must
strive to ensure that families don’t go to bed hungry while ensuring that no
life is lost in the quest for power.
On the plea for a mechanic village to be established in Ikom, Ayade said
he will look into it as such development is in tandem with his urban
development policy, adding that, some members of the support groups will be
offered appointments soon.