Peter Offem Ubi|1 February 2016|6:12am
A thing or two about Politics -1: Advice is paramount -2: Talk Less but carry a big stick…(LBJ Style).
As someone assigned to the office of Assemblyman David Gant from Monroe County back in 1997 at Albany -the Capitol of The State of New York -the center of State power; the workings of government, the act of governance and what it was all about, how Legislative Bills went through the channels till they eventually became State laws signed by the governor, all this I learnt.
More so, I took from Albany how legislative corporation amongst members of different political persuasion produce good governance for the good people of New York. George Pataki was governor -a Republican at the Executive office, with a small majority in the Republican Senate, and a Legislative House highly in control by the Democrats. Imagine what the Governor faced…a steep hill to climb but he was prepared for Governance. He went onto govern 12 difficult years with success.
How did Governor Pataki do it?
Pataki never made so much noise on his key signature projects for New York State, his political aides weren't out making noise but promoting the governor's agenda. Pataki – new to the governors' office, listened to his key advisers and to the elders in State Politics from both sides of the political divide, even as he brought with him conservative solutions to a state in crisis. Pataki revived the economy of New York State and led through the worst terrorist attack on American soil.
As Governor, he inspired people of all backgrounds to work together and to believe in a better future. And, his low state tax policy endeared investors and businesses into the state; gaining himself favor with the working poor through his modified child earned income tax credit. In the end, Governor Pataki was more a success under a Democratic known State.
My orientation of politics was American based, yet, I remained considerably observant of events happening in Nigeria. I understood all politics was local. And more importantly in my political growth was the idea of listening while in public without speaking much in the circles. Participating in the 2015 electoral process by strategically writing and advising the Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo campaign for Governor in Cross River, I appreciate the very saying "all politics is local" even more so today.
*Can Ayade do it -can he bring about governance?
Looking at Cross River under Governor Ayade, one wonder so many things -especially knowing, he was a lucky man to have obtained favor from the heavens. A lucky man because many knew what the political truths were-those who ran elections primary with him were told in the end to step down by then Governor Imoke -Ayade was his preferred candidate. Can that be said of politics as it is said by his aides "politics with ethics" …Just because individuals didn’t want to cause crises at the time, they stepped down, and in no way does this mean they were happy stepping down after spending hard-earned resources and going through the rigorous campaigns process -that nah yesterday story sha!
And unlike Pataki, Ayade owns full control of the legislators it seems -a weakly set of men in the State House of Assembly, a non-effective legislative chamber under the leadership of Speaker John Gaul Lebo. In a state full of sycophantic praise singers ready to give Ayade the heavens for doing nothing, Ayade's job is made easier. With all these advantages before the governor, one would expect him to act accordingly in securing Cross River State by positioning it for a competitive edge into the future.
Disappointedlly, considering all that is known in the public domain, I join many in concluding otherwise…he (Ayade) cannot bring about governance effectively. Without going into his upbringing, I doubt he learned the power of discipline, community, and hard work.
Due to the benefits of doubt, with all the understanding that a new Governor needs time, and the many advices from well placed friends, I had kept off from major criticism of the Ayade Government. No regrets, I have honored my trust to many -a trust I believe cost me -in that many wrongly concluded Peter Offem Ubi was bought off to remain silent. A conclusion compounded with Ayade's several aides tagging me on their propaganda post, trying their very best to muddle me in, but silent I remained -it was my path to honor before friends.
Though I saw the practice by the governors media rat's as a way to seek my contribution on their post, my friends and some within the online community thought otherwise as I would later find out. Speaking out today is because keeping silent in the face of confusion in our politics and Ayade's hypnosis encourages impunity and corruption. Speaking out today helps to encourage our people, letting them to know we are equipped to lead Cross River and indeed this nation. We the People are what will make Cross River a great State and a working Democracy.
It is our collective voices that empowers the citizens of our great Cross River to take back our government. Ayade has overreached, and the current style in government house needs to be changed, not managed by our people. Because Liberty I learnt is the only way for the independent spirit of the people to thrive, I must speak in exercise of my Liberty.
Governor Ayade hasn't demonstrated the ability to unite people over the issues that matter and to lead our State back to prosperity. The future of Cross River State depends on prudent leadership and good governance which is currently lacking.
In eight months since Ayade took office, his administration is yet to take off from the ground on any implementations of his promised projects -the governor was simply not prepared for governance that came his way. While his busy traveling around the world under the pretense of seeking investment-investors for the state, the real task of governance is left behind for Frank Ayade his younger brother who happens to be a non-elected official. Friends! truth be told, those same investors sought out for can come knocking without the governor wasting money traveling to them if proper plans are on ground.
*Advice is Paramount:
Be it good or bad advice, it is best to listen. Complains circling about the governor is that he doesn't listen to anyone -he believes he knows it all. Even when advice comes to him in the way of criticism, from lovers of good governance, the governor should know better to look into those criticism than to send his attack dogs out to eat up critics.
A thoroughbred politician like Ayade, before taking office, he should have began to think like a Governor and act like one. He should already be planning how he will run his cabinet and those that would serve in it, especially knowing, he was the favorable imposed candidate right before the end of the elections Primaries, and he (Ayade) would have reinforced and fine-tuned his plans and the shape of his administration by day one. But we know now all that never happened. All the time spent wondering in the wild forest creating Green Police, making big pronouncements, it took time getting his commissioners who are without policy directions -simply said, Ayade spent his first six months -2weeks and 4days dreaming.
When his cabinet was eventually formed, what has been the clear policy direction on ground? None! No clear direction for his commissioner's given the conflicting cross cabinet positions created. The only policy of the Ayade government is: hype up the signature projects and send out media aides on various media platforms to fight and attack criticis of his government.
What happened to all his campaign promises talked about so loud? Cross Riverians are yet to see the light of day on the 100 jobs a day promised to the unemployed and under-privileged youths. Where are the created jobs numbering 1000 monthly? What of the garment factory promised to be completed within three months of his taking office -to ease off unemployment? Where is the talked about Green Police? The Monorail supposedly to be available in time for the last 2015 carnival is still not operational. I wouldn't get into the superhighway project which has entered "one chance. "
Where are the provided solutions that should inspired people of all backgrounds to work together towards a better future? Even as you read me, the governors aides are promoting a new project called the "Rice Factory", and some free agents from the governors region have tried so hard to continue the hype on Ayade's programs across social media. Prince Thomas Abi Jr whom I read an article from somewhere is an example of such an individual…for eight months my friends, nothing is happening.
Boldly, I can state that not even a foundation to guarantee the take-off of Ayade's promises made in hyper pronouncements have we seen 50% implementation. If you promise to create a thousand job in a month, by now we should be seeing close to one million jobs or at best, nine hundred thousand plus jobs. In fact, what we see now are more unemployed youths without jobs in Cross River and only God knows how long it will take for jobs to come, and the fulfillment of Ayade's promises to our people.
Though being attacked or abused by Ayade's aides and friendly voices on social media will happen, I feel good knowing that I have kept faith with those I promised to be silent for sometime like my friend Barr. Dorncklaimz Enamhe, Mr. Princewill Odidi who told me to give the governor a chance, many others I cannot mention for security reason.
With sincerity of purpose as a Cross Riverian, I hope the governor -Professor Ben Ayade would turn around and accept to listen to advices, talk less but carry a big stick. And I hope also he will caution his media hawks that have done him more damage than good. The actions of these hawks have led to many known individuals dismissing the governor; left to them, nothing good can come from Ayade because he wasn't prepared for government, his already a disappointment to the northern region where he comes from which is why many have left him to join APC… some say -he is already going to fail on his own.
Well, the important thing for any leader is not the big dreams, not those praise singers, not those like me who lay criticism, not the highest-ranking of education obtained, but the vision to see far ahead. The implementation of any vision comes with listening to people irrespective of their political views, and talking less, and not remaining a dreamer because others were left out of the dreaming vision. Yes – many have called Ayade a man of the future, the digital governor of our time, permit me to say, before any of these pronouncements can be confirmed truths, his performance must be seen and judged overtime by history. I advice the governor to note that governance is not about big pronouncements to the public, but rather calculated actions that are firmly rooted in the best interest of the larger public. Governance isn't about the long car's of entourage seen of him around calabar, it is about building a long entourage in strategic aspects of steering, making the larger decisions about both direction and roles, with dedicated and selfless individuals willing to sacrifice for the greater good.
God bless Cross River and God bless Nigeria.
Peter Offem Ubi
Is a Public Affairs Analyst and Social Commentator
