‘It Is An Appreciation Message’ – Ayade’s Aide Denies Resigning

By Efa Sunday: Government House Correspondent

The Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River on Commercial Agriculture, Mr. Akuku Ugbani has denied claims that he resigned following a directive from the Governor to all aides to submit their handover notes by Friday, April 26, 2019.

Ugbani had reacted to the directive with a Facebook post which many had taken for a resignation and handover note, a claim He said is false.

”If you read what I posted there, there was nothing about resignation. All I am saying is that on behalf of the youths we are saying thank you to the Governor,” Ugbani told CrossRiverWatch on phone.

“He gave opportunity to the youths. Some may not have performed and look at me, I did not wait for imprest or all that, some delivered on their positions and some did not and even if we get better offers as we may not all return, it is good to say thank you to him for giving the youths this opportunity,” he added.

A quick scan on his post showed that some phrases may have elicited the claims about his resignation.

He wrote: “I urge whoever will take over from me,” and, “As I journey forward,” as well as, “as he(Ayade) constitutes a fresh cabinet and other appointees.”

However, he stressed that the some paragraphs of the post were self explanatory.

He had wrote: “I Akuku Achilles Ugbani wishes to thank him Senator Professor Ben Ayade, the Executive Governor of CRS (Cross River State) for his magnanimity as he expanded governance to the grass root, touching lives even though so many were alert takers without offices, as he said no child will go to bed hungry under his administration.”

He continued, “I sincerely want to thank him for giving me the opportunity to serve under his administration as I added my quota to the develop of the state in my own little experience.”

Mr. Ayade currently has over 7000 appointees and earlier this week, said, he intends to run a smaller cabinet; and Mr. Ugbani who wished him well urged him to constitute his new cabinet from “the best amongst equals.”