14th February 2017
The attention of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Rt. Hon John Lebo has been drawn to an online publication of Cross River Watch of 12th February, 2017 titled: ‘Cross River Assembly Is Ayade’s Rubber Stamp – APC’, being a statement credited to the National Vice Chairman, South South, of the All Progressives Congress APC, Ntufam Hilliard Eta.
It is quite unfortunate that the APC Leader was looking for just any opportunity to ventilate his frustration on the successes of the Cross River State House of Assembly under the dynamic leadership of John Gaul Lebo.
It is even worrisome that the APC leader is either ignorant of constitutional provisions on the matter canvassed and does not know the difference between a vacation and an official trip or as usual in the stereotype characteristic of the ruling party, he is on an adventure of mischief aimed at discrediting the House of Assembly. A case where the ruling party has turned itself to opposition party and even degenerated to the extent of frequently crying wolf where none exist.
Clearly, there is no constitutional provision that suggests that Governor Ben Ayade should transmit to the Assembly and handover to his deputy when going for any official trip be it local or international neither did the constitution define how long a governor will stay outside the state on official journey.
The Cross River House of Assembly and its leadership have performed very creditably to earn all the Awards and recognitions locally and internationally and there is nothing either Ntufam Hilliard Eta or the APC can do about the rising status of the Assembly other than spew baseless criticisms.
In as much as the Assembly appreciates the role of criticisms to inspire better service delivery, any criticism purely targeted at slandering and bringing the efforts of the House of Assembly to disrepute is not acceptable.
The Cross River State House of Assembly is committed more than ever to adding qualitative value to governance in the state and it is not prepared to soft-pedal, not now that it is getting the spotlight locally and internationally for good work. Neither Hilliard Eta nor the APC can deter the Assembly from doing what is right for the state and the people.
Signed:
Azogor Ideba
Chief Press Secretary to Hon Speaker
Cross River State House of Assembly
