Thomas Abi Jr|7 September 2015|5:49am
Recently, I have received phone calls and messages from all over the globe from concerned Cross Riverians asking me when Governor Ayade is going to appoint his cabinet. Some have even started nailing Governor Ayade by wagging their tongues with so much abuses and name calling. I do not blame them because they are actually concerned about the growth and development of their State.
Before Governor Ayade appoints his cabinet he must understand that the love and support the People of the State showered on him immediately he won his party's ticket and up to the time of winning his elections as Governor must not be taken for granted.
Let me say immediately, my Governor, that the jubilation and the goodwill that ushered your victory are fast fading a way as the People of the State want to be convinced that you are ready to hit the ground running.
Your Excellency, I write today with a heavy heart. As a staunch Ayadeist my heart is heavy on the persons that will make your cabinet. Because the caliber of persons in your government will determine if you are going to succeed as you journey with the over 3 million People of Cross River in the next four years.
The support you got from the People of the State and your party the PDP is because of the trust and believe they have in you. The People of the State believe in your antecedents and tenacious nature and as a matter of urgency, you must not fail us at this critical period. This is the time you have to set a government that will liberate the People from shady politicians. From shenanigans who are only after their pockets and stomach.
Lest you forget my Governor, you must understand that the vast majority of Cross Riverians that supported you were persons who were hapless, poor, hungry. Most of them were peasant farmers, market sellers, poor civil servants, okada riders, taxi drivers, pensioners and not core politicians; many were not even members of your party the PDP. They backed you because they saw hope through you, they supported you because they saw a young man who understands what poverty really means. The Cross River People believe in your pedigree and in your entrepreneurship spirit. They voted for you because of your resilient nature, your vibrant and bold mind set. The Cross River People saw the go getter spirit in you, you must not fail us at this very critical period of our development struggle.
As you get set in appointing your cabinet, let me use this medium to charge you not to be scared of your party men and women who only want what they can benefit and not what they can give back to the People. Over the years the State has been exploited by a few and with your high sense of moral standing, I want to believe that as the wind of change is taking charge of the country you will bring the needed change in the State through the caliber of persons you will appoint.
Senator Ayade, my Governor, I want you to believe that you know the ways of our politicians by now and will not be scared to appoint men and women of impeccable character. Men and women governed by high moral value. People who have the fear of God and are ready to work for the greater good of the State and the People of Cross River State.
Another thing I want you to take note of is the high level of sycophancy in the State. Many persons will come under the pretense of coming to show solidarity but in the real sense they are coming to gossip and stab others in the quest for appointments. Please Sir, be careful of such Karashica who are coming to paint themselves white because of appointments. Those are not the real persons who should make the list in your government.
My Governor, another important thing I want you to take into cognizance is for you to equitably distribute your appointments across the 18 local government areas of the State. Each local government should be able to have a commissioner or a Senior Special Adviser in your cabinet. Once you share your appointments across the State it would further reduce tension and settle many aggrieved sections of the Party and the State at large.
As you appoint your cabinet, it is my prayer and humble submission that you carry along both the young, old and the women folk in your government. The essence of your carrying everyone along is because the task in bringing quality governance to the Cross River People is gargantuan and it will require all hands to be on deck.
Before I rap off let me quickly remind you of local government workers who have not received their salaries and pensions for several months. As a man who was born into a humble African background, you understand what it means to go to bed without food and not being able to provide for your family. It is my humble prayer that you will speedily look into the salaries of local government workers and that of local government pensioners as quick as possible.
I trust that God has deliberately raised you at this time as a veritable example to mankind that dignity and hard work pays. May God help you carry this cross successfully.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affair Analyst /Social Commentator
