In the past three months Governor Ayade’s Media Aides have maintained a reputation for delivering disappointing results that have rendered the governor dangerously vulnerable to irreparable reputation damages.
These media aides and their coterie of sycophants have been rendered pliant and obedient to one line of command, ready to unleash vitriol on anyone seeking to lift the veil on Cross River State people.
One of Ayade’s greatest challenges in the first 100 days in office has been what economists refer to as “Time Inconsistency Problem”, which arises when a decision maker prefers one policy in advance but a different one at the time of implementation.
From the onset we’ve been bombarded with a plethora of promises that have yet to manifest in realistic development outcome. What is least known however is whether the statements and promises we encounter online are actually originating from the governor or framed up by his media aides?
I am a strong supporter of Ayade’s government, and a believer in the capacity of some actors within the system. However, I am not afraid to express confidently that our governor is at the crossroads of capitalism, socialism, communism, and even a sole proprietorship form of economic system.
Evidence from the media bombardment online suggests that the governor is facing a serious “time inconsistency problem”. Perhaps, his media aides, limited in their understanding of these dynamics, have failed to communicate effectively the governor’s development discourse to the understanding of the common man on Facebook.
Therefore the first disappointing result of the media aides is that their effort to communicate these inconsistencies in a way that would impress the governor has produced an effusion of falsehood rather than political candor. The second disappointing result lies in their disposition to constructive criticism and opinion.
I have read with dismay their vituperation against those perceived as opponents of the administration. It is true that some activists might not be diplomatic in the use of semantics, but as adults they have the right to hold an opinion on issues of public interest. The governor’s aides also reserve their rights of reply in instances where a publication seems to threaten the governor’s image.
Although none of the parties can be faulted for expressing their opinions publicly, I believe the media aides often come off as political thugs by allowing emotions, rather than logic, to becloud their judgments.
Other times they have deviated from the issues raised by those perceived as opponents to attack their personality and family members. A source close to the government house disclosed to me that, “the media aides are behaving as if we are at war.”
A relevant and interesting question that springs from these disappointing results is: Why are these media aides creating problems that do not exist? Why are they creating enemies for the governor and his government when, in my observation, the governor has made relentless effort to build bridges through bi-partisan cooperation?
I will conclude that Ayade’s greatest trouble emerged from the lack of professionalism in his media department. In my observation, the media team seems to have deviated completely from the compass.
Instead of acting as attack dogs, they should present themselves as a strategic compass to the governor. Instead of acting as sycophants they should help the governor to feel the pulse of the people.
As a recommendation, the governor will maximize the potential of this important department by employing a media consultant to train his media aides before they are deployed online.
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One commentOn Disappointing Results From Ayade’s Media Team And What Can Be Done BY OBASESAM OKOI
Fantastic write up, you hit the nail on the head