by crossriverwatch admin
In what seem like a decided move to consolidate on his 2015 governorship ambition, Senator Ben Ayade today donated one million Naira in support of the construction of a befitting palace for the Obol Lopon of Ekori.
The donation was done at the palace of the traditional ruler on the occasion of the launching of a 150million Naira appeal fund for the construction of the palace of Obol Lopon and the fourth anniversary of the Ekori Peace deal with Yakurr organised by Hon. Bassey Ewa representing Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Chief Tony Undiandeye, a former caretaker Chairman of Obudu Local Government Council who presented the donation on behalf of the Senator at the occasion said the donation was in support of the peace initiative and building of a palace for the Obol Lopon of Ekori.
Chief Undiandeye also denied speculations that the donation was connected to the 2015 governorship ambition of the senator.
He told crossriverwatch that: “the senator sent me to say that the relationship between the people of Northern Cross River, the central senatorial district and indeed the people of Ekori has been cordial and long standing and to strengthen that relationship, he hopes to be doing these intermittent contributions that will sustain the peace deal which they are celebrating today. The Senator is hopeful that the neighboring communities and indeed all Cross River communities will leave together in peace.
“He has always been a humanist. I don’t think what he has done is related to 2015. Even if he was not a Senator; that has always been his nature long before he got into politics. So I don’t think it is related to 2015”.
It will be recalled that Prof. Ben Ayade, the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District in the National Assembly on Sunday December 23, handed three new Honda CRV jeeps to People Democratic Party PDP women leaders from three local governments in the Cross River North Senatorial District.
One of the leaders of the ruling party from the northern senatorial district had told crossriverwatch that:
“all of these are calculated moves by the Senator towards his 2015 governorship ambition. He has to continue to openly deny he is contesting the governorship come 2015 for political reasons. But work is ongoing to ensure we are not taken unaware. More of these kinds of gestures should be expected from the senator as we approach election year because the governor has now cleared the coast for the north and that is happening at a time a very competent person is also available from the zone”, He said.