Senator Ayade Will Fail in His Bid to Undo Me – Vena Ikem

In Breaking News, Politics

>Venatius Ikem became a politician at a young age in life. Just after graduating from the university of Jos, he became the Obudu Local Government Chairman under the defunct Social Democratic Party SDP, only at 26 years of age. Since then he has had a bag of mixed fortunes in his meteoric rise in the politics of the “people’s paradise”. He has been National Director of Publicity for the ruling PDP, Director of Publicity of the Babangida Campaign Organisation as well as two times Commissioner in Cross River State. In this exclusive interview with crossiverwatch, Mr. Venatius Ikem simply called Vena, bared his mind on sundry issues.

CRW: The State Governor Liyel Imoke recently said his successor will come from the Northern Senatorial District of the state. Your name is also been rumoured as one of the contenders. How did you receive the Governor’s comment?

Vena: The Governor’s comment, welcomed as it is, was actually a reaffirmation of what he has been saying privately to those close enough and even publicly whenever the opportunity offers itself for almost two years now. And like he said, it is the right thing to do. The challenge though is how to manage the process of picking a candidate. For one there should not be too much expectation from other Senatorial Districts. Certainly, to think that the Northern Senatorial District will alone ‘select’ a candidate for the rest of the state is to expect too much. I dare say such a candidate will be more appropriately picked by the two senatorial districts that should not be contesting because they will be more objective about what serves the collective interest of the state. And also in order that we do not reduce the choice of a governor of the entire state to that of a senator. Of rumours, well, there is always enough of that in politics.

CRW: Ben Ayade your political rival has also been named by some sources as the favoured candidate from the north. That he’s the most likely person the Governor will pick for the party. How do you view that speculation?

Vena: I do not consider Senator Ben Ayade my rival at all although I am not about to declare for the election in any case. I see him falling into the infamous long line of those I have assisted into office who typically exert all their energies to undo me. Usually they fail because you cannot succeed when you return evil for good. And that is not peculiar to me. It is all over the country. It’s a natural process. On being favoured, well, I am not inside the Governor’s mind so I cannot say. If antecedents will count, then I will say, his tenure as Senator will be a good measure and the jury is still out there. One thing I know for certain though is that it is easy to win your first election when no one knows you because you can escape with that innocence. But once elected, your flanks are wide open and you lose the innocence of fables. Scrutiny is thorough. Most of the time you only play the Ostrich but the public will see you for who you are.

CRW: Don’t you think that the fact of your ongoing trial and the events that preceded the trial has diminished your chances of becoming the Governor of the State both constitutionally and in terms of public perception?

Vena: I have said before that I am not about to throw my hat into the ring as it were. Having said that, I’m not on ‘trial’. The unfortunate incidence is regrettable but I am sure that, that cannot forever define who I am. I think I have moved beyond that now. It is true that without it the speculation about my interest would have been stronger but I am sure my reaction would still have been the same at this stage. From my past experience, I know that the race is not for the swift.

CRW: You were part of this administration, handling a very critical ministry. Looking back, would you say the state government has achieved its target in rural transformation and the MDGs?

Vena: I think there is no doubt on my mind that the Imoke administration has performed above average in rural transformation. Providing basic infrastructure like roads, medicare, electricity, water, schools and I think that will be the Governor’s defining legacy. I don’t believe that only urban structures should define achievements. His vision has remained clear and consistent: to take government to those who need it the most. I laugh at those who chide him for lack of ‘performance’. You need to speak to typical rural dwellers to appreciate the enormity of what he has done. Government after all is for the good of the greatest number. But I believe that the Governor would have done even more if his resource base had been better. So to that extent I will say there is room for more work. I believe, however, that if more states achieve what we have achieved quietly in CRS then Nigeria would have taken a giant step forward indeed.

CRW: How do you perceive the role that the opposition is playing in Cross River Politics?

Vena: There is hardly any opposition in the first place. What you have are pockets of unfulfilled ambitions that fell out of the PDP. They are disgruntled, angry and uncoordinated. The social media has thankfully provided them an avenue to have a voice. To ventilate their anger and abuse and insult everyone. Hopefully that will assuage their anger. It might have been more dangerous if it remained bottled up. Having said that, I think a credible opposition is essential to the success of any democracy indeed any government. If you are surrounded by yeah-sayers only, you will not be challenged to bring out the best in you. I only wish we could have a credible opposition that is not looking to get invited into the government but that looks to providing alternative platforms for debate and improvement in government and governance.

CRW: What are your plans for 2015?

Vena: My plans for 2015 remain to continue to be an active player in the politics of the state and by extension the country. Participation remains key to me. Not what position I will be holding. That is usually the icing on my cake not the cake itself. I love politics passionately. Hopefully, after 2015, I will start working on my memoirs. I am bustling with so much I want to say about my experience in politics spanning 21 years now. But I need a stable atmosphere to write which will be distracted by 2015 activities. I want to be very active indeed.

CRW: Thank you.

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33 commentsOn Senator Ayade Will Fail in His Bid to Undo Me – Vena Ikem

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  • why do people judge even when they know themselves are subject to committing all sort of worse crime compared to what they judge others of? the Barr vena ikem i know, actually could do all that people have spoken of him but have we ever stopped to wonder if this very evil painted and condemned sort of a man ever shows regrets and remorse for all this acts for which his reputation is being destroyed? have we ever asked why he takes the stand he has chosen? well, i wish you knew this man better even so that you know what drives this excellent character to react violently. i testify to you that vena is a repentant man who out of uncontrollable anger reacts in such manner as people condemn because of his pains of what pains the hidden plans of people who are suppose to be leading will inflict on others. and i assure you THAT MAN IS NOT AS BAD AS YOU THINK . believe me it is mere perception but if you think he is evil then look out there and you will certainly find someone worse. I see some people take any issue that presents them the opportunity to contribute politically and sensibly as a platform or chances to abuse and insult at mention of Barr vena this should not be.I strongly condemn such.

  • Hi! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no back up.
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  • @ Lola, u are right, in yala L. G.A, precisly Ukelle area that place has been constantly neglected by this administration, it terrible that such an area still exist in dis contemporary time especially in a place like C r noting to show in terms of infrastructural development grader has never bin use on any of d tract dat lead to their communities no electricity so primitive

  • Hola! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the good work!

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  • vena is simply a thug and such people do not deserve to be saddled with serious responsibility. For every break he has had, the animal in him has always shown itself. Leadership is serious business and should always be seen in that light.

  • It’s well..! I believe time. Time heals all wounds. So, be calm people!

  • HOPE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HDP AND COALITION OF OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES COPP FEEL INSULTED BY THE OUTBURSTS AND VITUPERATIONS OF MR VENATIUS IKEM A SACKED WORKS COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC ASSAULT WITH OFFENSIVE WEAPON WITHOUT PROVOCATION. MR IKEM NEEDS OUR SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING NOT CONDEMNATION. WE CHALLENGE MR IKEM TO CLEARLY TELL THE CRS PEOPLE VERIFIABLE, EVIDENCED-BASED ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE CRSG SINCE 2007.WHICH RURAL TRANFORMATION, WHICH MEDICAL CARE.WHERE ARE THE SCHOOLS? THE ANNONG-EDIBA-USUUMUTONG-EBOM ROAD IS ABANDONED AND PRESENTLY WASHED AWAY,AWI -ABARAKOM-ODUKPANI BY-PASS —A STRATEGIC ROAD THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES OFF THE ODUKPANI JUNCTION CONGESTON IS BARRICADED AND ITS BEEN WASHED AWAY BY RAIN BECAUSE OF AMAZING POOR JOB STANDARDS WITHOUT DRAINAGE IN A RAIN FOREST REGION.THE ADUN-OBUBRA 2KM ROAD OFF OBUBRA SECTION OF CAL-IKOM HIGHWAY WAS CONSTRUCTED AGAIN WITHOUT DRAINAGE IN AN ALL YEAR RAINFALL ZONE IS PRESENTLY UN-MOTORABLE FOR MOTORCYCLES. I JUST READ THAT THE CRSG IS ASKING THE FG TO REFUND N13BILLON SPENT ON CAL-IKOM AND CAL-ITU, ITS MOST THOUGHTLESS AND LAUGHABLE BECAUSE JUST LAST WEEKEND MANY COMMUTERS SLEPT AT ODUKPANI JUNCTION FOR 2DAYS, I SPENT 12HRS ON SATURDAY THERE. MAY WE ASK AGAIN WHERE DID THE GOVT SPEND A WHOOPING SUM OF N13BILLION,THE ROADS MUST BE IN THE MOON. WHAT HAPPENED AT ODUKPANI JUNCTION AT THE WEEKEND HAS BEEN A RECURRING DECIMAL OF HOW NOT TO DEFRAUD A PEOPLE. MOST UNIMAGINABLE IN A SO CALLED TOURIST DESTINATION.MAY WE REMIND MR IKEM THAT APART FROM 0.25 PERCENT OUT OF 3MILLION CRS PEOPLE WHO HAVE MINDLESSLY AND RUTHLESSLY LOOTED OUR COMMON WEALTH IN THE NAME OF DUBIOUS, UNACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE SINCE 1999,THE REST OF US ARE THE OPPOSITION. YES, WE ARE INDEED VERY ANGRY BECAUSE OF WASTED OPPORTUNITIES SINCE 1999,THE SAME ANGER THAT LED TO NIGER DELTA ARMED STRUGGLE,SAME FOR MASSOB,OPC AND PRESENTLY THE BOKO HARAM VIOLENT INSURGENCY. THEREFORE, AT THE FULLNESS OF TIME,99.75 PERCENT OF CRS PEOPLE WILL ASK MR IKEM AND HIS COHORTS TO ACCOUNT.AND WE ASK AGAIN WHERE ARE THE LEGACIES IN HEALTHCARE,EDUCATION,WEALTH CREATION/YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ASIDE TEACHING OUR YOUTHS ETIGHI DANCE AND DRUG USE/ABUSE. MR IKEM IS PART OF THE PROBLEM TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STATE,WE ADVISE HIM TO TRULY GO TO A MONASTERY AND ATONE FOR THE SINS COMMITTED AGAINST THE CRS PEOPLE SINCE 1999.

    • It is possible,dat imoke is plinann 2 hijack d primary,he knws we cross riverian dnt want him,he can decieve some people bt not al d people,the state is back 2 a civil servant state,nothing is been done 2 boost d economy after Don Duke,tinapa is dyin,no adding 2 it,very poor maintainance,obudu cattle ranch same thing,road construction poor,he went 2 d village and constructed substandard road were he knws d people r illitrate n no much car ply d road, i cal it rub n shine road,education very expensive,student r now payin lecturers salary in crutech,civil servant salary no way,dat 1 na jamb he has nothing 2 show in his govt,dan lootin 4 his children,ole thief

  • Wao Trace you made a good point there. I personally know Leo Aggrey, he is good. Lets give him a trial

  • You pple are just singing praises to one who would go in there and be partying about with state government’s money. He would begin to abuse his elders, and break the heads of the youths. We have a lot of pple from the north that have served in different capacities in the government, they are silent. They are not politicians, but Technocrats, and can deliver the State.
    I make bold to introduce Bar LEO AGGREY FOR SUCH A JOB.
    He is better than Venatius Ikem. Leo is also a Lawyer, and has been a former Chairman at an early age like Vena. He is in charge of the boundry commission. He is cool headed and most qualified for the job. VOTE BAR LEO AGGREY FOR GOVERNOR

  • Otota actually made the last comment. Its heroes party do not monkey with yr votes watch out.

  • Commentators are choosing sides while some are reigning abuses on personalities. Its not acceptable. The records are archived if we’re ready to cross check. Leave sychophancy out of this, liyel Imoke has not named a successor but has promised to shift the political arena to the northern senatorial district. Come 2015 and with a level playing ground, issues of whether or not xter undoing, confraternity, arrogancy etc will not be an index of measurement. Only the political momentum xterised by the whims and caprices of the electorates will determine the Governor. Where is Bakassi, the oil wells and ….. is it arrogancy or confra?

      • Gov. Amaechi is an Emperor. Our state has •-̶̶•̸Ϟ•̸№ constitution,has he been suenspded by Mr. President? Not even when Rivers people came out en masse for the EFCC issue. Peradventure these chairmen did boycott the meeting,had he such vested powers to suspend them without presenting it to the House of Assembly? Worse still these fellow elected men i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ Council Α̲̅я̩̥̊ε̲̣̣̣̥ afraid because of a rubber stamp Assembly that would wake up to pass a funny legislation to support erratic act. Let’s ask our Governor on his Eleven Billion spent so far on a Monorail of •-̶̶•̸Ϟ•̸№ hope and bad roads that is greatly affecting Rivers people as to suspending Chairmen.

      • But here comes the poser: are the sacked goeornvrs qualified to contest elections for goeornvrship again? If they are, then Imoke would have taken oath office for the 3rd time as governor, if he wins. Is that constitutionally allowed? He seems to be happy that he won the PDP primaries in Cross River recently and is hoping to return to government house at Diamond Hill very soon as his puported appeal for calm clearly portrays.

  • I forgot to mention that as SA to governor Duke on Youths and Sports he also buried the once Famous Rovers FC, auctioned thier camp and made away with the spoils, this same Vena Ikem, I wonder what memoirs he is publishing, a Seadog (Pirate) Story I think since he is so quick to announce his involvement with the Fraternity as I see on his FB page.

  • First I think the headline for this interview is unfounded and inappropriate.

    However it is surprising to imagine that a man who uncontrolably undeed himself by exhibiting one major xteristic of a bad leader; breaking a bottle and breaking another man’s head with it; would point accusing fingers at a man of Sen Ayade’s calibre for attempting to undo him! Why would anyone spend his energy to undo a man who by virtue of his under-lying self-undoing is has nothing left to be undone?

    This same man whose every previous office as listed proves his worthilessness as a public office holder; as a Commisioner under Duke he was fired for disloyalty and theft and corruption; as a Nat Pub. Sec of PDP he couldn’t complete his tenure like his colleagues for disloyalty and involvement in drugs; as Campaign official for IBB, he stole IBBs car and is still on the run till today, as Chairman of Obudu, he disrespected every elder and even the youths and sundry, he even lead the youths as I hear to dig a grave and bury a coffen marked ‘OBUDU’ meaning as he left the council the great and ancient Obudu as it were died with him, since he had stolen every treasure he met in office; as commisioner of works he only “worked” effectively on a certain Bonny Ishamale’s head! woe unto the evil in this supposedly famous but infamous personality.

    This man has a terrible reputation and the public should not be purnished with stuff like these from him! He is as much as I think not worthy for public consumption or opinion whatsoever.

    He should leave Ayade out of his failures and misdemeanors.

    My candid Opinion.

    • Olofu,am not very conversant wit our politics here yet,and if wat you said about Vena are true,then he should’t even try to speak in this manner publicly because,he has no moral justification to do so. The people are watching whatever a man does in office and shall surely remind him of them when the time of reckoning comes like this.

  • NOBODY PAINTS HIS OWN HOUSE TO THE TASTE OF A DIFFERENT PERSON LEAVING HIS OWN TASTE DOWN! BUT THE JUDGE FROM THE OUTSIDE NORMALLY CARRIES THE DAY!

    ITS ALL ABOUT WHAT MAJORITY PEOPLE RECOGNIZES YOU FOR!

    • Dec,you see wat we keep saying and some say we talk too much and out of place? Let em keep doing what they think, they shall surely give account of their stewardship directly or indirectly.

    • I understand, but I live in the North and when it’s cold I am so very glad i have two nice furs to keep me totsay warm and gorgeous.Cushne et ochs doesn’t need the fur sweater. The fox tails are unimaginative and karen walker bag could be done in faux. the cloche could be done in velvet and I can’t tell what the scarf is but I do like the look.I’m a little bit of a hedonist.Do you like this comment? 0 0

  • Vena is certainly credible but is always being set up by his detractors. He should only learn2outsmart’em by ignoring’em&de sky will be his limit politically

  • A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND, OTHERS ARE WAITING TO SEE THE DIAMOND FALL-OFF YOUR HANDS DURING THE STRUGGLING & FIGHTING. IF YOU ASK ME, ONE AMONG BARRS. FIDELIS UGBO & LEGOR IDAGBO WILL BE THE BLESSING WE NEED. THANK YOU

    A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND, OTHERS ARE WAITING TO SEE THE DIAMOND FALL-OFF YOUR HANDS DURING THE STRUGGLING & FIGHTING. IF YOU ASK ME, ONE AMONG BARRS. FIDELIS UGBO & LEGOR IDAGBO WILL BE THE BLESSING WE NEED. THANK YOU

  • I just wish that come 2015 the party (PDP) shall permit a level playing ground for the people to decide and not the party to select.
    I have the conviction that if Vena should run in 2015, no group will stand on his way.
    He is a visionary, a grassrooter with so much influence and experience.
    I know there are other great guys in the North, but more notable and experienced is Vena.
    Let’s be realistic n give a chance to one who can sustain the current development programme in the State

  • Vena has been able to speak now after a long time. Hw has always been for me the most capable candidate in terms of experience and clear headedness. But. I don’t understand why he is always getting into trouble. His northern people think of him as arrogant but I think he is just intelligent. I’m from the south but I will vote Vena should he run fir governor

    • What a democracy! Why do they waste pelpoe’s time and money by asking them to vote when the sole administrator can just wake up on the wrong side of the bed and sack everybody.The boys are being settled and later they will say they cannot pay salary unless subsidy is removed. And this is the chairman of governor’s forum, I am sorry for this country. Meanwhile the house of assembly with all the money they collect will be silent.

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