Ayade, Agba Jalingo and Other Matters Arising – TheNigerialawyer

By Paul Obi

“In the long history of the world; Only a few generations have
been given the role of defending freedom, in its hour of maximum
danger, I do not shrink from that responsibility; I welcome it” –
J.F. Kennedy

The stakes are really high in Cross River State. Yet, make no
mistake about her, Cross River wears a soothing ambiance and tenor
of natural beauty, peace, friendliness and calmness. Even in an era
where Nigeria is trapped in all sordid tales of leadership, Cross
River people can still thank their God that theirs is a lot better,
compare to other climes. At least, the vagaries of Iberiberism are
not near her shores, and they would perpetually remain afar. Under
its stellar Governor, Sen. Prof. Benedict Bengioushuye (No one
knows tomorrow) Ayade, Cross River has primarily faced
industrialization as her current masterplan. The plan appears to
have taken off, with the footprints of industrialization dotting
the state on a continous basis. What Cross River actually needs is
to unplug her raw material potentials and entrench
industrialization. With Ayade, that has been the roadmap so far.
With the establishment of the Cocoa Processing Factory in Ikom,
Rice Mill in Ogoja and Garment Factory in Calabar, the Ayade’s
administration has left an indelible mark in the annals of history
in the state. Given his international focus, Ayade should
facilitate the setting up of cottage industries across the 18 local
government areas. Just as the government has started with the
provision of factory machines for Groundnut in Bekwara, more modern
and industrialized factories should be established in places like
Boki, Etung and Obubra for the milling of Palm Oil.

Despite these lofty achievements, Cross River of recent have
been sliding into the conclave of negative news. And that has to do
with the arrest of Agba Jalingo, a journalist and publisher of
Cross River Watch, an online platform. And also the arrest of Barr
Joseph Odok in Abuja. Both arrests are linked to the powers that be
in Calabar. The sad news is that with Agba’s arrest, whenever
Reporters without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists
(CPJ) and other international press freedom advocates and human
rights bodies in France, London, New York and Geneva draw those
their sharp maps indicating locations where journalists are being
persecuted, Cross River State, will regrettably be in such
maps.

Of a truth, this writer do not know Agba Jalingo in person and
have never met him, only through phone conversation as a fellow
journalist and Cross Riverian have we bonded together. Yet, the
shame of having our lovely Cross River State as a state where
journalists are clamped down and thrown to jail on a flimsy excuse
of unlawful assembly and protest is very telling and chilling on
the reputation of the the state, popularly known as the Nation’s
Paradise. Afterall, Cross River is not a state where dollar is
falling or entering deep babariga. In such states, once a
journalist writes about Gandollar, he or she is jailed, even if a
comedian makes jokes or musician sings about Gandollar, he or she
is quickly arrested by the Police and thrown into jail. Even when
you use Kakaki or a Saxophone to sing about Gandollar, you will put
yourself in trouble. That is not an attribute Cross River should
share.

In fact, the plea and request for Ayade to help release Agba and
Odok from jail is also not borne out of any insinuation that the
Governor is responsible for Agba’s sad ordeal and predicament.
Rather, it emanates from the zeal and resolve that Cross River
should not be among states where freedom of speech, press freedom,
free movement and assembly are inhibited or obstructed by the state
or any law.

Having worked with Gov. Ayade then as a senator, I can attest
that he has the mien of a good man, and that of listening leader.
Ayade’s decision to set aside N10 billion as Intervention Fund to
assist indigenes who may have health and other challenges is a
pointer to his charitable character. Granted, his desire for
perfection might sometimes undo his plans, his intentions and
desires are never out of place. Though we have never communed since
his entrant into Pellegrino House, I should have the firm
conviction that he has not been overdosed by the paraphernalia of
office. The late former Minister of Information and Communication,
and Environment, Mr John Odey (God bless his soul) had wanted me to
meet with Gov. Ayade during Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)
convention in Abuja, the tight schedule could not permit it. Still,
I believe the governor still remains the same, and with a good
heart, capable of forgiving anyone who might have wronged him. The
case of Agba should therefore not be an exception in the eyes of
Ayade. More so, it is my candid opinion that the clamp down on Agba
Jalingo is really a bad omen to the state. It is indicative of the
use of brute force, twisting of the law and targeting of a
journalist to sort of ‘teach him a lession.’ If that was the case,
enough lesson has been learnt already. Let the state government
facilitate the release of Agba and let him go home.

Yes, Agba’s fishing expedition in the realm of criticism and
watchdog role might not have been well received within Pelligrino
House, Calabar, but his consciousness for accountability and
transparency still falls within the purview of democratic rights of
the citizenry. If the truth be told, Agba was a formidable member
of Ayade’s team in his first term. He was a staunch supporter of
the governor in the last four years. If things have gone wrong, it
is not too late to make amend. Afterall, there is no waste bin to
throw even a bad child. Gov. Ayade should use his right hand to
reprimand his brother and draw him closer with the left hand.
Moreover, it is also pertinent to reach out to other critical
stakeholders in the state such as the Cross River State First Lady,
Dr Linda Ayade, Senators Sandy Onor, Gershom Bassey and Rose Oko;
Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng
Williams, Hon. John Gaul Lebo, Secetary to the State
Government(SSG), Barr Tina Agbor, the Commissioner of Police, CP
Austin Agbonlahor among others to liaise with the governor and do
all they can to free Agba and Barr Odok from the Police net.

While the plea for the release of Agba Jalungo forms the fulcrum
of this write up, there are other salient issues that are also
worthy of mentioning to the Governor. As the second term takes
effect, Gov. Ayade should be concerned about the legacies he will
bequeath to the state. At the moment, there appears to be
disenchantment and discontent about the level of governance in the
state. Many Cross Riverians are worried that some persons who do
not wish the governor and the state well are now capitalizing on
the 250 Km Super Highway to steal and destroy Cross River State
forest and ecosystem. There have been hues and cry over the
destruction of the forest by cronies close to the government. The
angst is based on the fact that the forest is what makes Cross
River State thick and unique. Take that away, and the state is
empty. Some have also argued that a new 250 Km Super Highway is not
a perfect project for the state. They opined that if the government
is eager to have a super highway, it is better to reconstruct the
existing federal highway from Calabar to Cross River North. This
will be more strategic and will save the state resources. There are
also concerns about the plan to build a new airport in Obudu, many
Cross Riverians feel that such airport will be a white elephant
project.

Added to that are accusations of clannishness against the
government, which the governor might completely not be involved.
For instance, the recent sale of cars and utility vehicles by the
state government to some citizens have gone the wrong way, as some
impostors were said to have gone round Calabar impounding the cars
without refunding the money for the cars purchased. In the last
four years, the tendency to show that ‘this is our turn’ by
poet-sycophants within the corridors of power has quadrupled.
Governance in Cross River has never been about tongue or the creed
you profess; tribe nor religion. It has always been based on
competence and capacity. Former Governors Donald Duke and Liyel
Imoke even empowered people outside their local governments than
expected. Gov. Ayade should therefore correct that ill-fated trend
in the state.

On infrastructure, there is an urgent need for the completion of
the Yaheh – Okpoma – Okuku – Abuochiche – Obudu Road. The
completion of that road will change the economic fortunes of the
state and place Ayade in good books of history in the state. More
so, the state government should expedite action in connecting and
completing the Eastern Boki and Western Boki Road – from Abo to
Boje, and finally linking Kakwagom – Oku – Nduk – Ogoja Junction
Road. In ensuring that these strategic roads are completed, the
Ayade’s government would have scaled up the state’s rural economy,
including improving the livelihoods of Cross Riverians within those
axis. Efforts should also be made to tap into the rice potentials
of Abi and Yakurr Local Governments in order to achieve optimum
results in youth employment. It is also critical that the state
government pay adequate attention to Akamkpa. Being one of the
economic nerve centres of the state, it is germane to provide
efficient infrastructure in the area. Let the focus go beyond
extraction of mineral resources to uplifting the masses from
poverty.

Instructively, Ayade should pay more attention to his
anticipated legacies and the need to be on the side of history. The
mood outside and the pulse of the people has been that of
lamentation and regrets. Ayade should discard poet-sycophants and
keep his eyeballs on the golden crown that awaits him in 2023. He
can only attain that feat by providing good governance, developing
Cross River, improving healthcare, science and technology,
education, farming, infrastructure; training and equipping
healthcare workers and teachers and helping Cross Riverians out of
poverty. On politics, there is an urgency for the governor to
conduct local government elections and ensure that the state
government stay away from local governments funds.

More importantly, Prof. Bengioushuye should avoid the lure of
power and the vibes of grandiose and flamboyant projects.
Governance and policies should not be ensnared by kinetic
obscurantism. Victory is his, there should be no room for
distraction. Ayade should earnestly align himself with honest,
experienced and dedicated technocrats. All the courts of jesters
and praise-singers that now litter Calabar should be burnt down
completely, while those with sincere and objective criticism should
be embraced. As former US President, John F. Kennedy posited in the
above quote, every generation has a rare opportunity to change the
world for the better, it’s Ayade’s turn to transform Cross River,
he should be resolute and magnanimous in delivering the goods. That
can begin with the release of Agba Jalingo and Joseph Odok from
incarceration and being real with the onerous task of development.
There should be no alternative to freedom of speech and pursuit of
progress and development. Otherwise, the predictable consequences
of stifling free speech and an all-too casual approach to
governance will be telling and dangerous to the state. Cross River
should therefore work for the interest of all her citizens;
including clap-trap supporters and critics as well even when they
falter.

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