Efio-Ita Nyok|24 February 2016|5:11am
'It is indeed not an easy time for political appointees these 8 months and counting!'
-Prince Michael Nku Abuo
February, 2016.
The above statement is attributed to Prince Michael Nku Abuo, Governor Ben Ayade's aide, he is the Special Adviser on Students Affairs and Youth Mobilisation. It was extracted from a Saturday 20 February 2016 Facebook post titled: 'Viva Cross River State-CRS', where the governor's aide was understood to be articulating a message of goodwill for his state. One interesting feature about this public servant is that he has an uncanny inclination towards saying things the way they are -no pretence.
The post was instigated by the final accent to law made by his principal, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, on the 2016 Budget of Deep Vision.
He eulogised Gov. Ayade thus: 'His Excellency Sen Prof Ayade Benedict as governor of CRS expect nothing less than innovation for the progress and positive growth of CRS…'. The said aide went further to note that, Ayade 'is indeed taking CRS to greater height! While we await the translation of these mouth watery meals we can't help but to salivate at the aroma spreading across the creeks of the south of CRS to the mountains in the North of CRS…'. However, he didn't fail to caution that, 'Our believe is that our thirst buds will be given the meal properly prepared and our tommies satisfied from this nourishing composition but for now while we patiently wait in our thirst we applaud yet again another first though we-Cross River State-CRS has soared into the second investment haven in Nigeria…'.
It was sequel to the above eulogies that the pitiable government aide, on behalf of other piteous aides, dropped the bombshell: 'It is indeed not an easy time for political appointees these 8 months and counting!'
Governor Ben Ayade has about 200 aides according to a source. And for their near nine months in office non of them have neither been paid their salaries nor served with an official letter of appointment. They get to hear about their appointments on the state radio/television station(CRBC) or telephone calls from friends. In fact, I wouldn't be out of place if I say that some of them get to know about their official engagement by the state government in beer parlours, fast food joints, restaurants, or other relaxation spots. Hmmmmmmm…
The present author is by this publication sympathising with Ayade's aide on Students Affairs and Youth Mobilisation as well as the over 200 political appointees in Cross River State bloated EXCO on their present executive predicament. I pray God touches the heart of the emperor to think positively of his employees and to include them in his payroll as he has done with his biological family members principal among which is Frank Ayade.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroid Haven
