Efio-Ita Nyok|10 October 2016
Chief Tony Undiandeye, SSA Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Cross River State on 9 October apologised to Joe Agi SAN in respect of the casket that had his name in scripted on it during the 7 October reception of Gov Ben Ayade.
Undiandeye has explained that the reception was spontaneously masterminded and organised allowing for miscreants to embark on unlawful activities like inscribing the name of a legal contender against Ayade on a casket on the occasion of his public reception.
Undiandeye described Ayade as a polished politician who values the bond of friendship and brotherhood existing between him and Agi. This reaction was contained in a social media thread of 8 October titled: RECEPTION FOR GOVERNOR AYADE AND MATTERS ARISING.
In his own words, 'Our attention has been drawn to several commentaries on social media, to the effect that the Governor, Sen. (Prof) Ben Ayade, organised the Airport reception for his return from his trip to Abuja, last Friday, 7th Oct. 2016, upon which an empty casket was paraded at the venue, suggesting a procession for the burial of Mr. Joe Agi (SAN)'.
'The reception was a spontaneous event masterminded and organised by all political appointees of the Governor, numbering well over one thousand as a demonstration of his good will and support. In the build up to the event, well wishers of the Governor and enthusiastic CrossRiverians joined the appointees to make a clear and resounding statement of support for the Governor's leadership. It is during this period of rowdy excitement and jubilation that some miscreants, notably our detractors infiltrated our ranks, bearing a casket with the inscription of Mr. Joe Agi.
'We were, and still very saddened by the uncultured demonstration of these mischief makers and promise to subsequently take adequate measures to forestall the repeat of such ignoble acts.
'For those who intend to make political capital out of this unfortunate episode, let them know that the Governor, Sen Ben Ayade is a very polished gentleman who practices politics with ethics and values the bond of friendship that is existing between him and his brother, Barr. Joe Agi (SAN). The Governor will never encourage nor support such primitive methods in advocating and advancing the cause of justice.
'While we continue with and, pray for our digital Governor Sen. Ayade for God's protection, guidance and success, we state in unmistakable terms that the Governor had no idea nor encouraged the reception at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport.
'As the Governor's public Affairs Adviser, I Want to state unequivocally that the confusion surrounding the parading of the empty casket at the reception venue is unfortunate and highly regrettable. On behalf of the political appointees, we take responsibility and hereby tender our unreserved apology to our illustrious brother, Barr. Joe Agi (SAN) for the embarrassment the ugly situation caused him', Undiandeye concluded.
However, critics have said that Undiandeye's reaction is dishonest, that if the governor was not privy to that incident, he would have ordered for the immediate arrest of the rascals who perpetrated that. But, he glossed over it only to come up with a denial and an apology.
For Daniel Agbor a journalist and acerbic critic of the present state government, Undiandeye's 'denial now three days after this incident is like an attempt to play on the sensibilities of Cross Riverians, Nigerians and their world at large when the very act intended had been successful carried out. To further come out with the blatant lies that the governor warned the casket bearing or the undertakers and yet they went ahead to perpetuate the act is one of the many unfounded lies or cock and bull stories of the century which is the stock in the trade of this administration'.
'Chief Tony cannot deny the fact that, I had raised an alarm when this madness started. I personally mentioned him as seeking the Governor's approval to organize a protest in the state. If the approval was not given by the governor, the ovation wouldn't have taken place. So why deny the Governor's non involvement? How about the Governor's wife involvement? Giving N50,000 to law students with additional N450,000 to stage a protest. Who gave Chief Tony the approval in the first place?', Agbor earlier contended.
The casket carrying campaign with Joe Agi SAN's name on it, has been described as being 'unholy, unhealthy and occultic'. In fact, the youths that carried the empty coffin have been further delineated as undertakers. Hmmmmmm… This observation is troubling.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of NegroidHaven.org
