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Efio-Ita Nyok|2 October 2017
Simon Utsu, social media influencer, has slammed the unprecedented elements of nepotism in the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration particularly during the just concluded maiden edition of the Northern Cross River Cultural Festival tagged NorthFest 2017 where Miss Perpetua Adie and Mr Sylvester Unimashi Ubom have emerged as winners of the NorthFest pageantry.
Utsu compared Ayade's nepotism with that of Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha and ended up submitting that unlike Ayade's, Rochas has more grip of the reins of his administration. He frowned at the thought of a so-called co-Governor and the subterfuge of the Office of Chief of Staff by one of the Ayades popularly called MC. Utsu then took a swipe at the alleged intervention by an in law of Ayade in infiltrating the winner of the NorthFest beauty pageant. Hear him out:
'It's quite saddening that Ayade Benedict of Cross River has reduced governance to a family affair. This trend is unprecedented in the state's history! In fact, at the national level, the only other place you can find something a bit similar is in Imo state where Rochas's siblings and in laws also hold sway. But the difference is that, unlike in Cross River, Governor Rochas is in firm control and has the final say.
'From feelers out there, Ayade's younger brother who is often referred to as the co-governor, Francis Ayade, is the de facto deputy governor; the once revered Prof Evara Esu has long been relegated to a figurehead. I also learnt one of governor Ayade's nephews called MC now acts as the Chief of Staff – the real chief of staff(I've forgotten his name) has also been converted to a figurehead. Even his in laws aren't left out. Just yesterday, the news was everywhere that the kid brother of his wife (first lady), one Eric Akpo contributed his quota to the nuisance constituted by the larger Ayade family when he influenced the coronation of his 'female friend' in a local beauty pageant that was part of the much touted politico-cultural "Northfest" festival held in the Northern Cross River Senatorial District over the weekend.
'What even made it more outrageous were the facts that Mr Eric is a 'family man' and the said girl isn't even from Northern Cross River but from far away Etung in the central part of the state! Can anyone remember the name(s) of Donald Duke's brother(s) or Liyel Imoke's sister(s)? Sometimes when I hear the absurdities and atrocities happening under Ayade's stewardship, I develop a light headache. God dey!', he concluded.
According to the website, The African Exponent, Africa seem to have a challenge with nepotism. For instance, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, appointed her son to the position of Major General, heading the Special Forces Command (SFC)
ignited controversies. Also,
The Bongos of Gabon have also been blamed for furthering nepotism in the country. Other leaders are from Libya, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Togo.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven
