Princewill Odidi|27 November 2015|11:40am
I just read online about the legal battles between Joe Agi and Ben Ayade at the Court of Appeal. Judgement is reserved in a few days. If Ayade is confirmed and
receives a favorable judgement, it will be great. At that moment I pray he takes the opportunity to start
afresh and try to rebuild his political capital which is dwindling so fast due to public dissatisfaction with
some of his policy options that appear unpopular.
However, a favorable judgement towards him is what I will call "the God of second chance" has visited him. But if the expecting judgement in a few days favors Agi, which is also very possible, certain questions
will be rife. Will the people rejoice at Ayade's fall? Will online media have a field day? Will all those complaining of Ayade's misrule feel vindicated? Will this be the end of his philosophical rule?
Ayade came on board with so much political capital. At a point, irrespective of my objectivity, I supported him and appealed to most dissenting voices to give him a chance. To some of us who initially supported him, we saw
a great philanthropist, a peoples' Governor who identified with the peoples day to day sufferings, but
I think a few mis-steps on his path and his aides which included a show of opulence through the use
of convoys at a time the people were are really suffering, promises made with timelines which were not met and he never bothered to explain.
Accusations and counter accusations of his supporters hacking the social media accounts of dissenting voices, not minding the social follower ship of this bloggers, internal strife and perceived infighting within his government. His bloated budget and enlarged cabinet amidst the
states meager resources, his promises of projects which are raising doubts in certain quarters due to poor communication of projects framework. His inability to effectively pass his message and
vision to the electorate if the state has the financial capacity to engage amidst our high debt profile and
collapsing social infrastructure played negatively on his ratings
While I understand governance is not easy, because you cannot please everyone, but if Ayade
survives the pending Court of Appeal ruling, which I will advice he does not underestimate the path the
judges may follow, I pray he sits up, organize his government, be open to the people about the state of the economy, communicate better with the people and rebuild his political capital and brand. Having the opportunity to serve as Governor to your people, is a lifetime opportunity, every single day that passes will not come back. If the people are getting dissatisfied, humble yourself and come to their level and explain to them your efforts amidst lean resources. Don't give room for the people to rejoice at your downfall.
While we wait for the judge's decision in a few days, lets watch the pendulum were it swings to. God bless Cross River State.
Princewill Odidi
Is a Development Consultant based in Atlanta, Georgia
