… I’ve been faithful with payment of workers salaries for 7years …Gov Ayade
The Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese, John Ebebe Ayah, has explained why he shunned Governor Ben Ayade’s largesse during a Thanksgiving mass held on Sunday in Calabar.
At the mass on Sunday, which was held at the St. Patrick’s Catholic, Ikot Ansa, Calabar, Bishop Ayah openly rejected the governors package to the amazement of the congregation and everyone else in church.
During the thanksgiving mass for Justice Emmanuel Agim Akomaye, who was recently moved up the rank of a judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
NEGROIDHAVEN gathered that Gov. Ayade who was special guest of honour, was invited to make a donation in support of the church’s 2022 harvest unveiling.
The governor made a donation of 25 million naira on behalf of the state government, his family and the judiciary.
His words : “You are our pride, the pride of Cross River North, the son of the soil, Bishop John Ayah, I will whisper my package to you later.
In his response the Bishop told the governor that he wants to speak while describing the governor as his brother from northern Cross River.
“I want to talk. The governor is my brother, we are both from Cross River North. I want to appreciate the governor and tell him to package whatever he has for me, add to it and use it to pay the salaries of the workers,” Bishop Ayah said.
It was learnt that the Bishop received thunderous ovation from the congregation and everyone which took minutes to die down for his bold move to reject the governor’s gesture.
A parishioner who spoke under condition of anonymity said Gov. Ayade immediately went back to the “podium” to defend himself.
He said, governor Ayade hinted that salaries of the workers was ready adding that his administration has been faithful, consistent in the payment of salaries for over seven years.
“The people will appreciate Ben Ayade when he leaves office”, The governor said.
