Speculations are rife that Cross Rivers State governor, Ben Ayade, and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) any moment from now.
Though Ayade’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita, said that the speculation is untrue, checks revealed that his boss may dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) latest by the first quarter of 2016.
Sources in the Government House confided that Ayade has become uncomfortable in the PDP and considers having federal structure fundamental to achieving his gigantic projects for the state.
His unease in the PDP, according to investigations, is not unconnected with the suffocating influence of his predecessor and benefactor, Liyel Imoke.
Imoke, it was learnt, wields enormous influence that Ayade is uncomfortable with.
A source in his team said: “The governor is unhappy with the fence around him, especially in the House of Assembly that is filled with Imoke’s boys.
“He wants to break away and be his own man. His predecessor is still having his hands in so many pies that the governor feels he just has to break off to succeed with his mandate.”

Read also: Election Tribunals: Contradicting judgments, curious grounds on www.ripples.com.ng

The desire to break away, it was gathered, has become more and more apparent in Cross Rivers PDP with chieftains alarmed that Ayade is dislodging Imoke’ legacies with ease.
The governor has altered the tax regime in the state said to be a major honey pie for Imoke and disbanded the anti-forestation task force put in place by his predecessor.
He has also sidelined the PDP hierarchy in the state with many chieftains complaining they are never carried along in key policy matters.
Ayade is said to be prepared to fight off Imoke’s influence, and sees an alignment with federal might as critical to this.
A source confided: “He wants Imoke off his back so that he can deliver good governance. The predecessor is a constant distraction that he cannot afford.”
The governor himself once said: “I am not a politician. Even if I do one term and go back with my parents’ name intact, I am okay.”
To effectively be his own man, Ayade believes the federal structure is his surest bet since the House of Assembly is littered with Imoke’s men.
His desire matches the disposition of the APC, which is seeking for an inroad to the South-South, which is completely in the grip of the PDP.
Only Edo State has an APC governor, leaving the ruling party seriously weakened in the oil-rich region.
The APC, according to a national officer, who craved anonymity, considers having a huge presence in the South-South fundamental to becoming a truly national party.
“We are not asking to become a one-party nation. No, far from it. But the truth is we need at least two or three South-South states in our kitty.
“The oil money in the states can do well to fund our political structure, even in poorer states.”
Aside from putting Imoke in his place, Ayade’s closest aides also confided that the governor has huge projects that will require federal attention and support to fly.
Some of these projects include the new seaport and the 240km superhighway that President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off after much persuasion.
Buhari was initially indisposed to commissioning the project especially in an opposition party but had a change of mind after party stalwarts pointed out the political calculations involved.
“If the governor can win the attention and support of the federal government, Cross Rivers will be almost a paradise.
“He will have the political support and financial resources to fund his projects. He will become the darling governor of the South-South,” a Government House source hinted.
The governor is said to be mindful of the fact that the APC needs a poster boy in the region and is willing to step into the shoes.
Already, major political opponents of Imoke have defected to the APC in the state. They are said to be preparing the grounds for the eventual welcome of the governor into their fold.
Political heavyweights that have joined the APC in Cross Rivers are immediate former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma- Egba; former Governor Donald Duke; governorship candidate, Prince Goddy Agba and Chief Ernest Irek.
Ayade, it was gathered, believes with such formidable men and their supporters behind him, he will be able to fight away Imoke’s structure in the state.
But his CPS, Ita, vehemently denied the speculation.
He said: “There is no such thing like that. It is a mere rumour and speculation that you should not waste time dealing with.”
Like Ayade, Like Emmanuel

In neighbouring Akwa-Ibom, Governor Udom Emmanuel is also said to be having a running battle with his predecessor Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio, the Senate Minority Leader, has started losing out in the power play less than six months after he installed Emmanuel.

You may also like: Kogi poll: PDP being mischievous, Buhari says via www.ripples.com.ng

This reality, it was gathered, was why he fought tooth and nail to get the minority leadership to remain relevant politically.
Emmanuel not only rejected the former governor’s elder brother, Sir Emem Akpabio as Secretary to the State Government but also demolished the petrol station belonging to Prince Ukong Akpabio, also a brother to the ex-governor.
The station was between the Power Chapel Church and Sammies Eatery along Nnamba Road, Uyo.
Contrary to Akpabio’s instruction, Emmanuel also supported Aniekan Uko from Ibesikpo Asutan Constituency to emerge as Speaker.
The former governor’s nominee for the post was Ime Okon of Ibiono Ibom Constituency.
Emmanuel is also said to be furious that Akpabio left him a huge debt of N72billion and is prepared to eject the former governor from a guest house he allocated to himself in the Government House.
Knowing his predecessor has a deep pocket to prosecute political battles, Emmanuel is said to be backing on federal might to scale through.
He is believed to be willing to dump the PDP at the shortest possible notice because of political expediency.
The two governors move, it will be a major ‘coup’ for the APC, which is said to be obsessed with the idea of having significant presence in the South-South region.
Both governors are said to be fascinated by the project and have been in constant touch with APC’s top shots to actualise the dream.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears
www.ripples.com.ng

Let me not believe Udom will go crazy one day though politicians are never trusted fellows.

Wow.. Nice read even if it stinks of conspiracy theories

But nonetheless. No smoke without fire

Lies, even though that is the plan of the forgotten Donald Duke, Ayade cannot try it. If he even thinks of it, his children will wake up to news that they have turned orphans.

Hahaha! pro.. pro... pro...!

that one no be today thing, e don tey na

hinwazaka:
Lies, even though that is the plan of the forgotten Donald Duke, Ayade cannot try it. If he even thinks of it, his children will wake up to news that they have turned orphans.

I have noticed you on this platform, you are so raw and loosed, is this how you are brought up or you just decide to turn yourself to a nuisance...keep on ranting, as if you can do more than this your online chest beating

Fuel Scarcity: Give me Jonathan’s ‘corruption’

I am trying to keep quiet not to say any word on this matter as it is beginning to look like I have not really seen any positives in this governmental change that we have saddled ourselves with. But as I set out this morning and see the suffering that Nigerians are enduring to eke out a living my anger brims over.
People don’t need this fuel scarcity, people need to be able to move around and I suspect that we are being taken for granted with the seeming indecision of this government in everything especially as it affects this sector. What is the government position on subsidy, on refineries on the privatization or otherwise of NNPC.
Whatever they decide to do, they should just give us fuel. People are dying, people can’t seem to get themselves together and I want to suspect, are beginning to ask themselves if there is any real change in their circumstances.
Boko Haram has killed many more people, more people have lost their jobs, still no power, more infighting in the National Assembly, everybody is probing everybody and now no fuel. Who is in control, where is the clarity, who is the arrowhead.
All we get to hear are sound bites with no real action. Discipline, incorruptibility, probes; all these will not put food on the table of the poor man. This N5,000 they want to pay, how many litres of fuel will it buy at black market prices. We need to be Nigerians once again. I swear we are beginning to miss the Jonathan corruption laden era.
At least those times, there was liquidity. The real estate, entertainments, service and ICT sectors witnessed a boom from their ‘corruption’. We became the biggest economy in Africa, inflation was single digit, jobs in the service sector were being created everyday and FDIs were rushing in.
Today with no corruption, the tap is dry. All we get is policy inertia and constructing fines on employers of labour that if not carefully handled will compound the unemployment situation and drive down further economic indices.
They say they need more time to fix the rot in the economy, that is not correct. Murtala Mohammed in six months showed a clear direction and focus and that is why till date he is being worshipped as a hero. OBJ with all his drama in six months showed clearly the direction of his government which enabled planning and business strategic direction.

Read also: Babatunde Fashola: History beckons via www.ripples.com.ng

Now, we have just appointed ministers after six months, we are pushing strong man tactics which is an anachronism in today’s world, court processes are being flouted and ignored, a fluid reward system in appointments even better than the much maligned Jonathan regime is in place, with some funny stalwarts being given strategic positions to do what,
if you ask me nothing.
We need to be very clear as to where we are going as a nation. We need to be focused and open up the economy. This thing is so simple that I am almost beside myself in anger as to why this government cannot see it. The solution is not old fashioned caveman total control of everything. This leads to more red tape, key man risk, hero worship and will literarily kill the economy. It’s stupid to be talking about national carrier at this stage, funny to be talking about the Presidency controlling the oil industry. It should be freed up, reduce government interference and watch it expand and grow like the telecommunications industry.
Focus should now be on gas. Licenses in that area should be awarded and supported as an alternative source of energy and income earner. The Bank of Industry should be further empowered and made to support SMEs, Soft long tenured loans guaranteed by the Federal Government be given to serious minded small scale business people with a caveat to employ at least ten people.
Keep the stupid N5,000. It will only give people like Systemspec and the banks more money through commissions on transactions. Aggregate the total funds and use it on infrastructure at the local government level, health and even Nollywood which has shown the capacity that it can employ and cater for millions of Nigerians both directly and indirectly.
I am screaming at this point, can’t you guys see it, it’s so out there.. Give us fuel, abeg

Ripples Nigeria …without borders, without fears

www.ripples.com.ng

hinwazaka:
Lies, even though that is the plan of the forgotten Donald Duke, Ayade cannot try it. If he even thinks of it, his children will wake up to news that they have turned orphans.

I'm still waiting for your ikoyi home address. Liquiddeep1@gmail.com
I can't wait to deal with you.

I think we all fail to realize that these people are birds of the same feather. They can do and undo, and precise politics don't have a guideline or procedure in Nigeria. Anybody (Politician) can just wake up tomorrow and decide to do whatever that pleases him at the detriment of the masses. A lot of them have done it and succeeded but yet still have our undying loyalty.

I don't think we should be a hardcore fan of these people irrespective of religion, region or ethnicity. What we need is a wake up call, a mindset to do things right when it seem to be going wrong or done wrong by our leaders.

If this man decides to do so today, he would succeed and even have our praise.

It is shameful.

BlackMaria:

I'm still waiting for your ikoyi home address. Liquiddeep1@gmail.com
I can't wait to deal with you.

Why would you say that? Can you give an example of any of our leader's brethren suffering from the actions of their father? No, they don't always suffer but rather live a comfortable live out the country for some years and later come back home to rule us and you and I would still allow and support them.

Read our insight via www.ripples.com.ng

Tunami:
that one no be today thing, e don tey na

You are right Tunami, but i think it just resurfaced. You can check for more insights and opinion via www.ripples.com.ng or explore google.

Regards

they cant decamp

miqos02:
they cant decamp

You think so. Would you have believed Rotimi, Daraki and Tanbuwal could decamp?

Don't trust this politicians.

psucc:
Let me not believe Udom will go crazy one day though politicians are never trusted fellows.

You are right. These guys are unpredictable

hayzee545:
I have noticed you on this platform, you are so raw and loosed, is this how you are brought up or you just decide to turn yourself to a nuisance...keep on ranting, as if you can do more than this your online chest beating

Mail me here. Thanks

alt.s9-bozclppn@yopmail.com

hinwazaka:
Lies, even though that is the plan of the forgotten Donald Duke, Ayade cannot try it. If he even thinks of it, his children will wake up to news that they have turned orphans.

Who doesn't know that PDP is a killer party? In case most of you ain't aware, one of their apologists (hinwazaka) has just reiterated it.

Olubukola01:


Why would you say that? Can you give an example of any of our leader's brethren suffering from the actions of their father? No, they don't always suffer but rather live a comfortable live out the country for some years and later come back home to rule us and you and I would still allow and support them.

Read our insight via www.ripples.com.ng

Shey o wa OKAY?

my bro, i understand u but ayade and emmanuel were installed by godfather's and if those godfathers remain in pdp, those states will remain in pdp fold remember amaechi in rivers, boni haruna in adamawa state

Olubukola01:


You think so. Would you have believed Rotimi, Daraki and Tanbuwal could decamp?

Don't trust this politicians.