By Ray U. Murphy
I have watched with horror the unfolding scenario wherein ex Gov Ben Ayade is being pilloried and bullied by indigenes of Cross River North.
It is not just fair! As a senior citizen, and a major stakeholder in Northern CRS, I cannot sit by while he is abused and sullied!
The fact that he left no lasting legacies in our Senatorial District is not enough reason for such heavy bashing. The fact that citizens of Northern Cross River are inhaling so much dust from their roads, arguably the worst roads in the state is not enough reason for such abuse.
Is it his fault that the wishy washy roads he used billions to construct are all washed off! Is he the one who caused the rains to be heavy? Even though we know the contractors he chose had no fixed address.
Is it his fault that he put food on the table of many while salting billions away? Was it his fault that he was carried away by shouts of Digital, Digital by those to whose table he shared crumbs and spoils of office? If na you, won’t you be carried away?
I am scandalised by the fact that those who are abusing Gov Ben now are those who abused me when I tried my utmost to give sound advice to Brother Ben.
I am surprised that many who now describe his 8 years as a waste are the same ones who were his main cheer leaders and boot lickers. These are the ones who carried placards to airports to celebrate Gov Ben’s every return from China.
Northern Cross River may have nothing to show for Ben’s years, both as Senator and as Governor, but those his former sycophants should not be the ones saying it.
When I complained of the spaghetti abi na sandwich highway, a project that was all over the TV but never on the ground, arms and voices were raised against me.
We who helped build APC in Northern CRS, we who were thrown aside as soon as Ben joined APC, we who call ourselves old APC, we are quiet, but those who chopped the lap of the antelope, they are the ones insulting the man! Why?
I recall how we were shoved aside during the national convention that produced Tinubu. I remember how even our small convention stipend was cornered by his henchmen, I recall how our names were removed from various presidential campaign committees because Gov Ben wanted only his acolytes, the very people who are insulting him today. Why are they harassing the man, the very man who robbed us to pay them?
He gave motorcycles to ward chairmen, abuse followed. He gave cars recently to chapter chairmen, more abuse followed. Some wicked people started spreading rumours that one of the cars knocked engine that same day as the recipient was driving it away.
Why una bad so? I say, allow Ben Ayade to breathe! Even the child unborn knows that the voters of CRS North will not vote for Ben even if he gave one jet each to every family.
They say that they know him. That he is sharing things now that he wants votes. They say that if he shares planes, they will not enter because the plane fit be wood when dem carry aluminium paint cover!
But I say, let Ben breathe. Even though everyone is upset with his disastrous tenure as governor, particularly with his zero impact on Northern CRS infrastructure, I say let him breathe. To sin is human, to forgive is Divine.
I and many elders have forgiven Gov Ben for wasting North’s 8 years, but the youth have said no. They say Jarigbe is the commander of Northern Hearts and the King of Projects.
Abuja gists say that some people got money to step down their presidential ambition from 3 different aspirants, dem collect all and still stood.
I say, let Ben breathe. He is not the first office holder to fail his people. Even if you won’t vote for him, don’t abuse him. At least, respect your elders.
Nobody should make Gov Ben cry. He cried enough for us when he was our Gomina.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
