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Ben Ayade

Behind Governor Ben Ayade's Misrule, There Is Speaker John Gaul, By Inyali Peter

More often than not, critics all over the world tend to blame the inability of an administration to live up to its expectations solely on the executive arm of government. This may be because among the three branches of government namely; the Exec...

Cross River Inglorious Fall From Glory to Grass, By Inyali Peter

According to John Maxwell, "Everything rises and falls on leadership". The reputation and image of any state or society is directly proportional to the quality of leadership of that society. A society with a responsible, responsive and proactive ...

Joe Agi vs PDP & Gov. Ben Ayade: Matters Arising, By Ifere Paul

The other day something extraordinary and unexpected happened in the hallowed chambers of the Supreme Court of Nigeria during the hearing of a political matter that concerns the gubernatorial seat of the Cross River State.  It was at the ...

C'River Gov. Ayade Accused of Highjacking CBN Anchor Borrowers Program

Inyali Peter, Calabar The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Anchor Borrowers Program in Cross River state is allegedly in disarray as the state governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has been accused of  hijacking the process and flooding the list with his poli...

Ochicha Condemns Police Detention of Man with 'I Need a Job' Placard

By Inyali Peter A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC and governorship candidate of the party in the 2015 general election in Cross River State Mr. Odey Ochicha has condemned in strong terms the arrest and detention of a young gradu...

Why I Fell In Love With Buhari, Projecting His Image Than APC Govs. - PDP Governor Ben Ayade of C'River

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State yesterday declared his unflinching love for President Muhammadu Buhari, boasting that he works harder than most APC governors in projecting the image of President Muhammadu Buhari. “I am in love with the...

Emulate The President, Buhari's Special Adviser, Obono-Obla Tells Gov. Ayade Over Rubber-Stamp Deputy

Chief Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution at the Ministry of Justice has urged Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State to emulates the President by conforming with the constitutional stipula...

Rejoinder: "Who Really Owns Cross River State Garment Factory? For The Common Man To Understand", Okoi Obono-Obla

I read with lot of mixed feelings the article titled ‘’WHO REALLY OWNS CRS GARMENT FACTORY? FOR THE COMMON MAN TO UNDERSTAND ‘’ by Princewill Odidi.Undoubtedly, Princewill Odidi made a great effort to elucidate the mechanics of Special Purpo...


Showing posts with label Ben Ayade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben Ayade. Show all posts

Behind Governor Ben Ayade's Misrule, There Is Speaker John Gaul, By Inyali Peter

Ben Ayade
More often than not, critics all over the world tend to blame the inability of an administration to live up to its expectations solely on the executive arm of government. This may be because among the three branches of government namely; the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary, the first is the statutory head and the one that goes out during campaigns to tell the electorates what they would do.  Chief executive officers of the three tiers of government are  constantly attacked and slammed in almost every failed attempt or failure to attempt. People seldomly talk about the place of other arms of government in such betrayal of public trust.


But, to be fair, the executive does not reserve the exclusive right to determine what happen in government or have absolute independence to make certain policies work. It may be in charge of running the day to day activities of government but for it  to succeed and progress to the point of satisfying public demand, the other two arms of government must effectively play their roles. It must be a collective responsibility of the three.

No doubt, there's separation of power as provided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), but the success of any administration rest on the proactiveness of all  the three. This means that, no single arm of government survives or succeed in isolation; they always fall back to each other to stand.

While corporation and understanding is eminent, it should not be done in such a way that the duties of one arm is undermined. No arm should become a surrogate to another; there should be some level of independence in other to enable each of the arms carry out their functions effectively. Success in government can only be achieved through a concerted efforts of the three arms therefore they should all share in the success and failure of any administration.

For the purpose of understanding, let me succinctly remind us the functions of the three arms of government.

The Legislature which to me is the most critical arm of government has a major responsibility to make law. It is also duty bound to carry out oversight function on the executive and the judiciary. By this, it means that the legislative arm has a duty to supervise and scrutinize the activities of the executive to influence the administrative policies.

It (legislature) exist as a commissary of the public that is why it can prefer the charge of impeachment on their executives. It represent the public trust. It has the powers to control how and when government  finances are spent. This is why the head of the executive seeks approval of the appropriation bill at the beginning of every fiscal year from the legislative arm. The legislature gives or deny approvals for loans.

The Executive arm which is the head of every administration has a major responsibility of enforcing the laws made by the legislature. It is in charge of the day to day running of government as well as does the formulation and implementation of government policies, etc.

And lastly, the judiciary is obligated to interpret and administer justice. It is the custodian of the constitution of every society and the conscience of the people. It also in most cases play advisory role to other arms.

In Cross River, the misrule of Governor Ben Ayade is very visible to the blinds and very audible to the deaf. But behind this  misadministration, there is the Speaker of the  8th Cross River state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo who has failed to lead the legislature to perform her function as the representation of the people. He is a major component (if the only) of Governor Ayade's misrule.

Let me explain. As stated earlier, the two major functions of the legislative arm of government is to make laws and to exercise some level of control, guide and scrutiny on the activities of the executive. This watchdog function is called the oversight function. Although the assembly has not done badly in making laws as it has passed not fewer than ten bills since its inauguration, the former is a critical expect of legislative business that has gone extinct under John-Gaul's watch. The house has acted since inception as if its only responsibility was to make laws. And even the laws (which I will write about another day) have little or  no direct bearing on the common man who should be the priority of every government. Don't expect me to give you some of these laws as I will discuss them exhaustively in a separate piece.

Governor Ayade has mercilessly come under heavy attack and criticism over some of his actions and inaction since he took over the mantle of leadership of the state. The opposition All Progressive Congress, APC and some critics have demanded his impeachment or resignation over some obvious gross misconduct. But such calls are very offensive to the speaker who has indirectly made himself a spokesman for the governor each time he comes under attack.

We have erroneously blamed Ayade solely for the poor state of governance in the state. May be this is because he is the head of the administration but a logical and critical analysis of what is transpiring in the state today will leave one wondering if we have an assembly that  has the courage to exercise it statutory right of checkmating the excesses of the executive. The answer of such ponder is on the negative obviously.

In his inaugural media interaction, the speaker pledged to uphold the integrity of the legislature. He vowed never to leave the assembly under the control of the executive.  But he said this feat can only be achieved without the legislature appearing to be fighting the executive. At that point, I pondered over many things because a typical Nigerian in place of authority will want to do things unchallenged; and knowing the kind of governor we have, I said to myself that this man may just have unofficially handed over himself to the governor with the attachment of such clause to his pledge.

You can't effectively carry out an oversight function without appearing to challenge the powers of the executive to carry out some programs. Fight to me is not only when blows are exchanged but disagreement with somebody over an issue could also be referred to as a fight. Nobody was expecting the Speaker to carry matched, gun and irons to chase the governor in performing his oversight function. Perhaps, the speaker may have understood it differently.

The statement invariably set the premise for what we have today as the most gullible, unserious and irresponsible assembly in Nigeria. An assembly that lacks the courage to call the governor to question when he errs. An assembly that has become a rubber stamp to the governor. And assembly that house a leadership that is an informant to the power co-governor. An assembly that has passed all the bills from the governor, including working on a bill to promote street hawking in Calabar. An assembly that before the governor says Jack Robinson, his demands will be approved without due consideration of the consequences.

Lebo ensured that the local government act is amended to create room for the governor's wish to set up caretaker committee without minding the consequences of such actions to the system. From when the local government would be devolved, the federal government will no longer grant the state local government allocation. Our laws provide that allocations are only granted to democratically elected government. So the responsibility to pay local government workers salaries and other overheads will now be tied down to the meager federal allocation for the state government. This may just be one of the worst mistakes of any legislative regime in the history of the state.

Today, Lebo assembly is a gathering of unserious people and naysayers who even lack the courage to demand their statutory benefits from the governor. All members of Ayade's family in government are driving official cars while honourable members almost two years after inauguration are still using their personal vehicles for official purposes.

Why would any man blame only Ayade for reducing governance to comic show when he knows everything he does is accurate before Speaker John-Gaul? Why would anybody single out Ayade for crucification for destroying the legacies of the state in just 18 months? Why would anybody blame only Ayade for the bad roads, insecurity, poor water supply, damaged education, agriculture, health and tourism systems when Juhn Gaul has deliberately paid deaf ears to the call for the legislature to perform her oversight function on the executive? He (Speaker) has given Ayade an open cheque to run Cross River state as it pleases.

It is absurd for anybody to think that every spoiled child is responsible for his or her actions and therefore should be blamed for every misdeed. In most circumstances, the child is just as good or as bad as the parents make them. In this case, although Ayade is the head of the administration, the constitution gives the speaker the mandate to play the role of a parent which he has neglected with disdain. So, the governor alone cannot be held responsible for all the atrocities this administration has committed against our belief system.

During one of the governor's world tours that kept him away from the country for almost three months, Cross Riverians raised concern on why he didn't inform the assembly officially and handover power to his deputy to act. In defending the governor's action, the Speaker said that there's no law that mandates the governor to handover to his deputy while in an unofficial leave. I wonder the law that permits the governor to leave the state without leadership for that long!

When Calabar officially bowed to refuse and dirt, a highly placed government official like the Speaker who was supposed to compel relevant agencies to clean up the city came out to ridiculously abused the intelligence of Cross Riverian with his shameless claim that Calabar is now dirty because Ayade was paying workers salaries regularly. How payment of salaries has become a great privilege done to civil servants by government and a reason for government negligence to keep the environment clean is appalling.

The governor has in different fora publicly addressed his think-tank, Frank Ayade as a co-governor and our dear speaker thumped ups. John-Gaul has reduced the office of speaker to the level that if Ayade fart, he will go to the press to quote laws that support such action. He has converted the office of speakership to a Personal Assistant to the governor.

During one of his media parleys, the speaker said that the governor is by law allowed to appoint not more than 64 aides. But today, Ayade has appointed over 1,500 aides to the commendation of our dear Speaker. No doubt, he is one among equals but the leadership must be firm enough to take decisions that will make the erring governor sit up.

In the assembly complex, there's no steady power supply and no water. Legislative aides are not being paid. Lawmakers are not given their allowances while the governor has acquired the latest Tundra for the speaker to ensure his continues support at the detriment of his colleagues is guaranteed. Any lawmaker who dares try to demand his due entitlement will be tagged a betrayer and an enemy to the family.

How can there be a family when a cabal is sitting on the benefit of others in the name of loyalty? How can the lawmakers push all the blame on Ayade when they themselves have sold their consciences and duties to the governor? How can we single out only the governor to blame for our present situation when people who were supposed to be act as our consciences have sold their mandates to fear, loyalty and the very enemy of our common patrimony in the name of showing loyalty to their party ? For me, such is not loyalty but cowardice because the people you represent must come first before your party!

Apart from unleashing terror on our economy by making useless and unnecessary appointments, Ayade has formed boards and agencies that our laws does not recognise yet the legislature which is the representation of the people is feigning ignorance. The spate of insecurity in the state is on the increase and yet we don't have a courageous speaker that can preside over a session that will call the governor to answer some questions over the many allegations linking his aides to the menace.

Ayade has crippled everything in the state and yet John-Gaul is clapping for him. With the level of sycophancy and gullibility displayed by Lebo and his colleagues, the may be no immediate solutions to the problem of leadership under this administration.

Even the Bible says that when you see somebody committing sin and you fail to report to appropriate authorities, you are also as guilty as the person committing the sin. Hence, behind every Ayade misrule, there's a John-Gaul. Until other members rise to their responsibilities by calling the speaker to order, I foresee even a worst state than we are already are in the nearest future.

The legislature must perform her oversight function effectively to return the lost glory of our dear state. Members should see beyond party sentiments to work towards building a new Cross River. They must stop their "Sidon look" attitude because posterity will hold them all responsible.

May God help Cross River!

Cross River Inglorious Fall From Glory to Grass, By Inyali Peter

Ben Ayade
According to John Maxwell, "Everything rises and falls on leadership". The reputation and image of any state or society is directly proportional to the quality of leadership of that society. A society with a responsible, responsive and proactive leadership, is likely to create a better reputation than the one with parochial, irresponsible and irresponsive leadership.

The choice of the caption, "Cross River Inglorious Fall From Glory to Grass" is not intended at taking an aim at anybody particularly but to make us have mental pabulum on where we're coming from as a state, where we are today and probably where we are heading to (that's if we're heading somewhere at all). It is carefully crafted to at least attempt to compare our glory days to the current state of our dear state which can best be described as an inglorious fall from glory to grass.


Since the return of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria in 1999, Cross River state has produced some of the best governors in terms of appearance, oratory prowess, performance and innovations. The first democratically elected Governor of the state in the current democratic dispensation, Mr. Donald Duke, in his tenure won several distinguish awards for his proactive and responsive approach to leadership. In fact, as the youngest governor in his time, Duke was highly respected amongst his contemporaries that he was saddled with the leadership of the South South Governors Forum. Because of his outstanding leadership qualities, he moved from a zonal chairman to the national chairman of Nigeria's Governors forum.

Despite assuming office at a tender age of 37, Duke was able to transform the state to arguably  a paradise destination in Nigeria in terms of its serene, ever green and clean environment which made it a haven for tourists within and outside the country.

When he came on board, Duke initially introduced agriculture to be the mainstay of the state's economy. The cultivation of pineapple, cashew, castor and the revamping of the oil palm industry was to contribute to the fields of agriculture to boost all round development of the state. But along the line, perhaps for the obvious reason of the huge financial outlay that may accrue to this initiative, Duke diversified wholly into development of the tourism sector and giving teeth to development in environment, information and communication technology, investment drive among others. Through his work Calabar was seen as the "cleanest city in Nigeria,’’ and even won a laurel in national reckoning for this posturing.

It was during Duke’s days that the state boasted of such facilities as Obudu Ranch Resort that apart from serving as Nigeria’s Camp David [according to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua] hosted many athletes of international repute in the then famous International Mountain Race. The event grew under Duke and the next administration to one of the most lucrative mountain running competitions in the world.

To attract tourist to the state, Duke opened the world class Tinapa resort. The state became an industrial hub as the Tinapa resort gained acceptance both locally and internationally. By the time he was rounding up his tenure, businesses of several kinds were booming in the resort.

Also, Donald invested substantially in the education sector. It was during his time that the famous Polytechnic Calabar metamorphosed into the fast growing Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH. The secondary education was revitalized as the state education monitoring team ensured students and teachers were serious with academics. It was during this time that prep (An evening class session where students go for compulsory reading) was imposed on all secondary schools operating in the state. State quiz and debate competitions were also introduced to  encourage competitiveness among schools and students.

The three technical colleges established by former Governor Clement Ebri were properly funded. In fact, some of the best electricians and skilled craftsmen we have today in the state are products of the schools. At the primary level, parents and guidance were encouraged to send their children to school through the government Primary School free education scheme.

He (Duke), however, got his share of criticism as he was accused of being too elitist in some of his projects. Some of the things he established were said be beyond the reach of an average Cross Riverian who needed government most. Questions like how the facilities could generate the financial outlay to sustain themselves given that the economy of the state is majorly dependant on allocation from the federal coffers pooped up at the time.

When the immediate past governor, Senator Liyel Imoke came on board on the 29th of May 2007, throughout his eight years tenure, he showed little or no serious interest in Tourism as the former. The Tinapa Resort, Obudu Ranch Resort amongst others became comatose as such having no direct impact on the state's economy under him.

His administration witnessed a drastic change from Duke's concentration in developing the urban to rural areas. Imoke administration constructed the highest number roads which cut across every political ward in the state in the history of Cross River state. Although, almost all the roads have experienced very short lifespan, he was applauded at the time for his commitment in developing the rural areas.

Apart from that, the administration prioritized the development of the primary healthcare sector in the state. Functional health centre in almost every village in the state were established. I see why he was regarded by his admirers as a symbol of rural development!

In agriculture, his administration granted loans and grants to farmers. He attracted investors to invest hugely in the sector. For instance, Wilmer's palm investment is one of the largest palm estate in Africa. He also brought the Songhai farms. He revived the state cocoa estate which was contributing about 30% to the growth of the state Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

In education, he renovated primary and secondary schools in every single village in the state. He also established the world class Institute of Management Technology, Ugep. In fact, many people till date rate him in terms of his people's oriented projects as the state best governor ever.

His government enjoyed positive remarks in ensuring relative peace more than the Duke's dispensation. In fact, the state was regarded nationally as the most peaceful in Nigeria.

Despite the achievements of the past administrations which comunated into building a solid and favourable reputation for our dear state,  both governors ran a government with about fourteen to nineteen cabinet members. Two of them put together had less than fifty Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Personal Assistants.

As Imoke administration faded way into the thin air on the 29th of May 2015, Senator Ben Ayade, emerged as the new kid in the blog to take Cross River state to the promised land. Such was expected from Ayade being that he is the first Professor and the oldest man to become governor (any of his ages still put him as the oldest)  when he assumed office. Clement Ebri became governor at 39, Duke at 37 while Imoke assumed office at 40.

Cross Riverians had expected that Ayade would either take the state further or maintained the level he met the it. But very unfortunately and highly disappointing, the hopes and aspirations of such people is gradually fading away. Eighteen months (18) down the line nothing is really showing that those who insisted that it was either him or nobody were right.

While the past administrations had clear policy plan in Agriculture, Tourism, Education and Health development, the Ayade administration has not shown a clear cut plans for these very relevant sectors of our economy. His administration is now known by the governor's oratory prowess which can be best described as unbridle lips doling out voodoo promises than any tangible achievement.

In Agriculture, rather than building on the existing structure to expand the horizon, the governor has destroyed almost everything he inherited from the sector. The Songhai farms is now comatose. Nothing is happening there. The state has or is about to lose the five years world bank commercial agriculture development project at the expiration of the current contract later this year for failure of the governor to approve the list of successful candidates early enough for training which would have given the state opportunity for renewal. Even the state agriculture loans for women and youths has long died a murderous death caused by this administration.

The cocoa estate which was contributing hugely to the state economy has been politicized. By the end of this year, cocoa farmers would have lost two farming seasons to the disagreement between the government and host communities on allocation of the estate to farmers. While farmers have insisted that real cocoa farmers should be allotted the blocs, the government is bent on floating the place with Calabar based politicians. This development has led aggrieved youths of the host communities to form a militant group called "Etung  Avengers" which they have used to chase everybody away from the estate.

In education, the government has left the state tertiary institutions as orphans. The state only owned university recently lost accreditation of two major courses (Architecture and Wood Product Engineering) as a result of failure of the government to fund the university properly to prepare for accreditation. Several months now, the government has sat on the statutory monthly subvention of the institution. All projects going on in the institution has been placed on hold due to paucity of funds. This development recently led the Council of Traditional Rulers to demanding the privatization of the institution. What a shame!

The Institute of Management Technology, Ugep is now moribund. Lecturers are owed over eight months salaries. The hopes of the students is hanging in the balance as lecturers are leaving on daily basis. The Highbury University that had agreement to run the institution for the state has terminated the contract due to government inability to keep to the terms of the agreement. The dream and aspirstions of the founding fathers of the institution has been dashed.

The West Africa Examination Council has held on to the results of candidates from the state as result of backlog of debts which the governor has not shown any serious interest to address. Our three technical colleges have become shadows of it itself. Instead of working on reviving them, Ayade said he has signed MOU to establish new once which is still flying in the air. In the primary education, pupils can no longer sit for common entrance as a result of the failure of government to organize the examination.

The state tourism potentials has succumbed to insecurity. A state once regarded as the most peaceful barely seventeen months ago is now topping the chart in insecurity in the country according to police report. Corpses are now litter everywhere in the street of Calabar. Kidnapping, cultism and broad day robbery has become the new oder in Calabar. The state is now known for killings and robbery than the great tourism potentials that brought it to limelight.

To make matter worst, Ayade has reduced governance to a huge joke and comedy as indicated in the appointments of retinue of political office holders and aides in both the state, senatorial district and local government levels. He recently unleashed terror on the state crunched economy with the appointment of 1,106 which when added with the existing 800 would take his tally to 1,906. The categories include Personal Assistants, Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Advisers and commissioners. He ridiculously appointed people to some boards and agencies that has no legislative backings. For instance,  Maize, Banana and Cassava Development Agencies.

Apart from duplication of offices, he also appointed embers and chairmen to some nonexisting commissions. For instance,  board of Cross River state Seaport Authority, Portside Authority, Wharf Etc. All these commissions are not seen anywhere near the state. The state House Assembly which is obligated to question this is a rubber stamp to the governor.

With Nigeria economy in recession, one would have expected the governor to runn a lean cabinet to cut down cost of governance to reflect the  state economic reality like his contemporaries in other states. How a state which receives one of the lowest allocations from the  federal government and has witnessed a drop in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N1.2 billion to about N800 million monthly recently harbour a cabinet lager than that of even the federal government is amazingly comical.

This is a state which sits third in terms of debt profile of states in Nigeria. According to research by Web Management Office, Lagos still tops the charts with the debt rate of about $1.17 billion Dollars, Kaduna with $234 million Dollars and Cross River in third place with $142 million Dollars.

With the debt of $142 million Dollars and a huge task of paying civil servants salaries and allowances there is no argument that instead of increasing the nineteen SAs appointed by Imoke administration to 1,106 and thirteen Commissioners to 29, he should run a lean government to reduce the cost of governance in the state.

This is how much Cross River, which has a capital that pride itself as the nation's paradise has fallen from glory to grass.
While other states like Ebonyi, Lagos, Kaduna, Adamawa, Abia, Anambra to mention but a few are moving from glory to glory, Ayade has taken us back to Sodom and Gomora; we have returned to dark days where everything bad is associated with. We are surviving in the land where evil hold sway.

The eighteen months of Ayade has been nothing more than an icing on the cake of bad leadership. To say the least, the Biafra tales as chronicled in Chinue Achebe literature "There Was a Country" can be reframed to say, there was state before Ayade came on board.

Ayade should urgently return to the drawing board and come out with plans that can revamp the education, agriculture, tourism and health sectors. Development and improvement of our economy should be giving more attention than building political empire. He should as a matter of necessity, cancel his appointment bonanza; people should only be appointed into government to serve a purpose of growing our economy.

His projects and program should at every time reflect the reality of our state financial position. We should not only have governor but there should be government in place. Cross Riverians should feel the impact of his digitalization like he promised. The time for this administration to work her talk is now. There should be less promises, more action.

Joe Agi vs PDP & Gov. Ben Ayade: Matters Arising, By Ifere Paul

Joe Agi vs PDP & Gov. Ben Ayade: Matters Arising, By Ifere Paul
The other day something extraordinary and unexpected happened in the hallowed chambers of the Supreme Court of Nigeria during the hearing of a political matter that concerns the gubernatorial seat of the Cross River State. 

It was at the hearing at the Supreme Court of the appeal filed by the indefatigable Joe Agi Odey (SAN) against the Peoples Democratic Party and Senator Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State. 

After the adoption of the Brief of Argument of the Appellant (Joe Agi SAN) by his Counsel and he urged the Court to allow the appeal. 


The Counsel to the 1st Respondent (Peoples Democratic Party) stood up to make an application to the Court withdrawing its Brief of Argument and conceding to the appeal and urging the Court to allow it in favour of Joe Agi (SAN)! 

I, read somewhere on Facebook where some legal ignoramuses were trying to make light and dismissing with a wave of the hand what transpired in the Supreme Court on that fateful day , I just laughed!

What is the implication of the concession of the Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party to the appeal of Joe Agi (SAN)? 

The Counsel to the PDP pointedly told the Court that his client (PDP) support the position of Joe Agi that the 2nd Respondent (Senator Ben Ayade) did not comply with the Guidelines of the PDP lay down by the Party to regulate the conduct of the 2015 Governorship Primary Election and as such the Party had decided to withdraw it sponsorship of him. 

In law, what the Counsel to the PDP did amounts to admission against interest? 

What is admission? Section 20 of the Evidence Act, 2011 defines the word ‘’ admission ‘’ thus: 
‘’ An admission is a statement, oral or documentary, or conduct which suggests any inference as to any fact in issue or relevant fact, and which is made by any of the persons, and in the circumstances, hereafter mentioned in this Act’’. 

In a case in Court, an admission can be made a party to the proceedings or his or her agent.

Section 21 (1) of the Evidence Act provide thus 
’’ Statements made by a party to the proceeding, or by an agent to any such party, whom the court regards, in the circumstances of the case, as expressly or impliedly authorised by him to make them, are admissions’’

Even though customarily, where a party to an appeal concedes to the appeal or fails to file his Brief of Argument, the Appellate Court or Supreme Court (as the case may be) is still bound to hear the appeal in the merit and deliver its judgment one way or the other, this is the case here. 
In the case under reference it is the case of a Party to an appeal making an admission against interest. By Ifere Paul

C'River Gov. Ayade Accused of Highjacking CBN Anchor Borrowers Program

Inyali Peter, Calabar
ayade
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Anchor Borrowers Program in Cross River state is allegedly in disarray as the state governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has been accused of  hijacking the process and flooding the list with his political appointees and family members.

Ayade, according to a reliable source has forwarded over five hundred names which comprised mostly of Calabar based politicians and his family members who are not rice farmers to the Ogoja branch of Bank of Agriculture.

According to the source Adie Samuel, "The governor has hijacked the entire process and has filled the list with his family members and Calabar Politicians who know nothing about rice farming"


The source maintained, "I am from Obudu, the same local government with the governor but it's so disappointing that after getting a message initially from the borrowers program, my name is no longer in the list from my LGA as the governor has removed my name and replaced it with his family member".

While commending the federal government for the initiative, another source, Benson Odey, a rice farmer alleged that "some inputs that were  meant for Cross River North being the largest producer of rice in the state was diverted to Ikom by a political cabal

"More disappointing is the fact that some politicians  who are not even farmers have already gotten  the highest portion of the inputs, leaving the real farmers to grumble.

"As we speak, Inputs are secretly distributed to Ayade's cabal at night"

Reacting, the state agric Commissioner Prof. Anthony Eneji denied the allegations against the governor stressing that the program is under the strict monitoring team from the CBN.

Prof. Eneji said that "Please disregard that disinformation. The programme is under firm monitoring by CBN based on strict guidelines. His Excellency, the Governor has no interference whatsoever".

It will be recalled that the Federal Government through the CBN is currently granting loans to rice farmers aimed at increasing food production and security in the country.

The CBN had set aside N40 billion out of the N220 billion earmarked under its Micro and Medium Enterprises Development Fund to boost rice production in the country

The fund is to serve as loans to rice farmers in the range of N150, 000 to N250, 000.

According to the CBN, the fund would be given as loans to rice farmers to procure agricultural inputs like fertilizers, pesticides and  seedlings among others

Farmers through corporative are expected to open an account with the Bank of Agriculture to be able to access the loans

In the Ogoja branch of Bank of Agriculture yesterday, the turn out of farmers in the northern zone was very high as they came out in their numbers to open account

Already truck loads of inputs such as rice, fertiliser,  herbicides among others have arrived.

Ochicha Condemns Police Detention of Man with 'I Need a Job' Placard

By Inyali Peter

Ochicha Condemns Police Detention of Man with 'I Need a Job' Placard
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC and governorship candidate of the party in the 2015 general election in Cross River State Mr. Odey Ochicha has condemned in strong terms the arrest and detention of a young graduate, Mr. Charles Ewa for carrying 'I Need a Job' placard.

Ochicha who was responding to the news of the arrest of Ewa for showing Governor Ben Ayade placard with the inscription 'I Need a Job' warned the governor against unnecessary show of force, abuse of power,  harassment  and intimidation of innocent Cross Riverians.

The APC stalwart pointed out that it was unreasonable for the government to use police to torment an innocent citizen who was already frustrated by the inability of the government to provide him with a job.

He called on the Inspector General of Police to urgently set up a panel of inquiry to look into the issue and punish the police officers who have allowed themselves to be used as agent of vendetta by politicians.

According to him, "I received the arrest of a certain Charles Ewa with great shock. The action of the governor to have ordered his arrest is reckless and tyrannical in a democratic setting that we need to condemn in totally.

"I have always supported Martin Luther's advocacy that "The best way to respect a stupid order is to disobey it". This is exactly what the police who arrested and have been detaining this man for the past three days without trial would have
done.

"I called on the Commissioner of Police to unconditionally order the release of that innocent boy. The Inspector of General of Police should urgently set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the case and bring the erring officers who have become partisan to book".

He maintained that the detained youth has not committed any crime against the law of the land to have warranted such assault from a government that should protect the life and rights of citizens.

"Just few months ago we all saw how the number two man in the country, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo invited a lady with 'I Need a Job' placard to the villa for discussion. What is the offence he has committed to try to draw the attention of his governor to his predicament?

"This is unprofessional in the part of the police and has shown that the Nigeria Police Force, Cross River state command is yet to know the ethics of the force. It is not only gibberish, but senseless to accuse an unemployed graduate who is obviously seeking the attention of government for attempted assassination like I was told the police said".

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Why I Fell In Love With Buhari, Projecting His Image Than APC Govs. - PDP Governor Ben Ayade of C'River

Why I Fell In Love With Buhari - PDP Governor Ben Ayade of C'River
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State yesterday declared his unflinching love for President Muhammadu Buhari, boasting that he works harder than most APC governors in projecting the image of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I am in love with the style and ability of President Muhammadu Buhari as leader of Nigerians. He does not see himself as a party leader but as father of the country.

“His efforts at streamlining the country’s resources, as well as tackling corruption drew me closer to him.

“Besides, he has shown me love even though I am of the PDP. He gives utmost and prompt attention to my requests,” Ayade said.

Ayade stated that he ended politics soon after the 2015 elections, adding that he would spend the next one year commissioning projects.

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Emulate The President, Buhari's Special Adviser, Obono-Obla Tells Gov. Ayade Over Rubber-Stamp Deputy

Okoi Obono-Obla,
Chief Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution at the Ministry of Justice has urged Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State to emulates the President by conforming with the constitutional stipulates ver treatment meted on his Deputy.

Obono-Obla came hard on Gov. Ayade this morning in a statement made available to News Punch following the governor's decision to incessantly travel out of the nation without handing over to his deputy.

Obono-Obla, a renown human rights activist, constitutional lawyer, and ant-corruption fierce crusader said; "President Muhammadu Buhari has set the template which our State Governors should emulate and copy in so many ways."

"President Buhari has shown that he is a man who is not obsessed with the trappings and paraphernalia of power that is typical of African Rulers/Leaders."

"He is so humble, humane, exemplary, law abiding and simple. He shows absolute respect and confidence in the way he deals with his Vice President." 

"Twice President Buhari in strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution has handed over the reins of power to Vice President, Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbanjo, SAN, GCON. "

"In March, 2016, President Buhari handed over to Professor Osinbanjo as Acting President when he travelled to United Kingdom on a short holiday." 

"Again, on the 6th June, 2016, President Buhari handed over the reins of governance to Acting President Yemi Osinbanjo" 

"But not our State Governors! Our Governors hardly learn. The Governors are one of the fundamental problems confronting and grappling the country. "

"They are dictatorial, magisterial, arrogant, power drunk, vindictive, and reckless. They treat their Deputies with so much distain, contempt and scorn." 

"The Governors have rendered the legislative branch of government in potent to the extent the State Assemblies have been turned to appendages of the Governors."

"In one of the States in the South/South Region one of the Governors in a frenzy and stupor of power drunkenness promoted his immediate younger brother ‘’ Co-Governor’’. 

"The ‘’Co-Governor’’ moves around the State Capital with convoy of siren blaring vehicles. He is he who must be obeyed. The words of the so-called ‘’Co-Governor’’ is Law. "

"The ‘’Co-Governor’’ is the de facto Governor of Cross River State in all ramification." 

"Whenever the Constitutional Elected Governor; the de jure travels out he hands over the reins of power to his ‘’ Co-brother Governor. Imagine the absurdity and illegality."

"From January to April, 2016, Governor Ben Ayade travelled out to God knows where! He was away for almost ten weeks without transmitting a letter to the State House of Assembly as prescribed by the Constitution in order that Deputy Governor Professor Ivara Esu would assume office as Acting Governor. Rather, his brother, Frank Ayade whom he appointed Co-Governor’’ assumed office and exercise the functions of the State Governor till his return. "

"Again, Governor Ayade has travelled out of the State for the past two weeks. Governor Ayade again failed to hand over the reins of power to his Deputy. In the absence of the Governor, the Cross River State has continually slides into a State of lawlessness, anarchy!"

"Two weeks ago secret cultists and hoodlums declared a ‘’ civil war’’ in part of the State Capital and went into a orgy of mindless violence and killings."

"Last week, some militants in the out skirt of the State Capital ambushed a convoy of vehicles carrying expatriate workers and kidnapped them before they were released after a week after payment of a ran some to the criminals."

"Undoubtedly the Security network Cross River State has broken down and collapsed in the face of mediocre governance and incompetence."

Ayade in January traveled out of the country for over one month without officially informing the State Assembly and handing over to his Deputy. Again, he is said to have traveled again now repeating the same 'criminal act'


Rejoinder: "Who Really Owns Cross River State Garment Factory? For The Common Man To Understand", Okoi Obono-Obla

I read with lot of mixed feelings the article titled ‘’WHO REALLY OWNS CRS GARMENT FACTORY? FOR THE COMMON MAN TO UNDERSTAND ‘’ by Princewill Odidi.Undoubtedly, Princewill Odidi made a great effort to elucidate the mechanics of Special Purpose Vehicles; however Odidi failed to clear the cobwebs and shroud around the Garment Factory. So your article with due respect has not unraveled the questions raised by the discovery that there is an entity known as Cross River Garment Factory Limited ( which the Government of Cross River State has shielded from the Public till Ifere Paul exposure) !

Odidi attempt to differentiate between Cross River Garment Factory Limited and Cross River Garment Factory woefully and spectacularly failed and leave more questions to be answered! Despite all the circuitous argument there can be no doubt that Cross River Garment Factory Limited is the same thing as Cross River Garment Factory! The Cross River Garment Factory is the same as Cross River Garment Factory Limited!

In corporate law the legal person known to Law is the Cross River Garment Factory Limited! In the eye of the law, Cross River Garment Factory cannot enter into any contractual relationship with a third party. Cross River Garment Factory cannot sue and be sued because it has no legal personality. It is merely an agent of Cross River Garment Factory Limited. It follows that in the event of a commercial dispute between Cross River Garment Factory in the course of doing business with third parties the body that will be sued shall be Cross River Garment Factory Limited.
Odidi also failed to tell us why in a purported Public Private Arrangement, the Government of Cross River State would be investing a whooping N2.7 Billion (through one Frank Ayade, the brother of Governor Ben Ayade). It is strange in a PPP scheme for the public authority (Cross River State Government to be making financial contributions).

According to Wikipedia, PPP is when a public sector authority and a private party, in which the private party provides a public service or project and assumes substantial financial, technical and operational risk in the project. In some types of PPP, the cost of using the service is borne exclusively by the users of the service and not by the taxpayer.[1] In other types (notably the private finance initiative), capital investment is made by the private sector on the basis of a contract with government to provide agreed services and the cost of providing the service is borne wholly or in part by the government. Government contributions to a PPP may also be in kind (notably the transfer of existing assets). In projects that are aimed at creating public goods like in the infrastructure sector, the government may provide a capital subsidy in the form of a one-time grant, so as to make the project economically viable. In some other cases, the government may support the project by providing revenue subsidies, including tax breaks or by guaranteed annual revenues for a fixed time period. In all cases, the partnerships include a transfer of significant risks to the private sector, generally in an integrated and holistic way, minimizing interfaces for the public entity. An optimal risk allocation is the main value generator for this model of delivering public service.

There are usually two fundamental drivers for PPPs. First, PPPs are claimed to enable the public sector to harness the expertise and efficiencies that the private sector can bring to the delivery of certain facilities and services traditionally procured and delivered by the public sector. Second, a PPP is structured so that the public sector body seeking to make a capital investment does not incur any borrowing. Rather, the PPP borrowing is incurred by the private sector vehicle implementing the project. On PPP projects where the cost of using the service is intended to be borne exclusively by the end user, the PPP is, from the public sector's perspective, an "off-balance sheet" method of financing the delivery of new or refurbished public sector assets. On PPP projects where the public sector intends to compensate the private sector through availability payments once the facility is established or renewed, the financing is, from the public sector's perspective, "on-balance sheet"; however, the public sector will regularly benefit from significantly deferred cash flows. Generally, financing costs will be higher for a PPP than for a traditional public financing, because of the private sector higher cost of capital. However, extra financing costs can be offset by private sector efficiency, savings resulting from a holistic approach to delivering the project or service, and from the better risk allocation in the long run.

Typically, a private sector consortium forms a special company called a "special purpose vehicle" (SPV) to develop, build, maintain and operate the asset for the contracted period.[1][2] In cases where the government has invested in the project, it is typically (but not always) allotted an equity share in the SPV.[3] The consortium is usually made up of a building contractor, a maintenance company and equity investor(s). It is the SPV that signs the contract with the government and with subcontractors to build the facility and then maintain it. In the infrastructure sector, complex arrangements and contracts that guarantee and secure the cash flows make PPP projects prime candidates for project financing. A typical PPP example would be a hospital building financed and constructed by a private developer and then leased to the hospital authority. The private developer then acts as landlord, providing housekeeping and other non-medical services while the hospital itself provides medical services. 

It therefore, becomes imperative in the light of the above and in the interest of good governance, accountability , transparency and democracy for Governor Ben Ayade to come out clean and explain to us who is the owner of the Cross River Garment Factory, Calabar.

OKOI OBONO-OBLA

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