Recent development in Cross River North Senatorial District has made it imperative to look deeply into former governor Ben Ayade’s selfish leadership style, which is outdated and out of fashion. His desperation for power is second to none, and it is very unfortunate.
Facts abound that all immediate past former governors who contested Presidential and Senatorial elections and lost didn’t bother to re-contest again in 2026/2027 because they know they have been rejected by the people. From Abia to Enugu, Benue to Taraba down to Kebbi, etc. none of them are seeking to return to the Senate again, only our power thirsty Ben Ayade, backed by his co-governor brother Frank Ayade, because of their desperation for power. One may ask, why can’t he deceive himself as usual and start the contest from the presidential primary, the same way he did in 2023 before his eventual disgraceful defeat in the Senate election?
His desperation for power will lead him to contest for the position of national women leader, a position that is exclusively reserved for women one day. Since he has decided to be a career aspirant after his governorship position, contesting all elections in all elections seasons. Ayade, like a stubborn dog destined to get lost doesn’t listen to the cautionary whistle of the owner, will soon face another embarrassing humiliation from our people who are ready to pay him for his failure while he was governor.
If Ayade gives anyone anything, they should collect it with pride because that is our misappropriated and mismanaged funds meant for the construction of our abandoned and uncompleted roads, Obudu airport, hospitals, boreholes, schools, electricity, industries, equipment and other projects undone by him. He can not even give us anything good, as witnessed by the cars he recently gave to the chapter chairmen that broke down and couldn’t take some, including Ogoja Chapter Chairman home. Even if he gives billions, air planes, and Rolls-Royce, our people should collect it and vote against him because that is our commonwealth stored up and awaiting a time like this for him to deceive us once again.
It is important to place this within a broader national context. Across Nigeria, voters increasingly reward performance, not failures, unknown zoning arrangements, or self deceit. A recent report by Leadership Newspaper, titled “National Assembly ‘Landlords’: 18 Lawmakers Who Have Spent the Longest Time in NASS,” highlights a critical trend: long-serving legislators continue to win elections across party lines not out of entitlement or agreed zoning, but because of consistent delivery, performance and sustained engagement with their constituents.
Figures such as Senators Ahmad Lawan, Ali Ndume, Mohammed Monguno, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Adamu Aliero, and Adeola Olamilekan have maintained electoral relevance over the years largely due to performance and their ability to remain connected to the needs of their people. Sen Abaribe, for example, was elected to represent Abia South Senatorial District in the Senate in 2007 on the PDP platform. He has retained the seat to date, serving in his fifth term and having been in office for about 19 years. He was the Minority Leader of the Senate in the 9th Assembly.
In the build-up to the 2023 general election, the PDP ticket was manipulated against Senator Abaribe by the immediate past governor of Abia State. Abaribe moved and joined the unpopular All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State and won the election based on his performance, acceptability, and popularity, not parochial and unknown zoning formula. He was re-elected to a fifth term, defeating Ayade’s colleague, the former governor of Abia State who manipulated the PDP ticket but couldn’t manipulate the will, position and determination of the people of the senatorial district in the general election. Distinguished Senator Abaribe is contesting for the 6th term under ADC. The reason other federal constituencies and LGAs under his Senatorial district are not complaining is because of performance, acceptability, and popularity. The same feat like our Jari wonder.
Ayade’s shameless quest for power in his new effort to seek re-election back to the Senate reminds the people of Cross River North Senatorial District of his inglorious end as governor, with failed projects, uncompleted and uncommissioned projects, with almost 90 to 100% payment to his brother’s companies and friends leading to the wicked and heartless rape of our commonwealth. And you can guess the reaction of our people; rage, anger, and rain of abuses. Mostly, with the present developmental strides of our amiable governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, across northern Senatorial District, has further exposed his complete failure.
Ayade’s failed outing has since become repugnant to many, resulting in his woeful outing and massive defeat in 2023. I thought as a Professor he should have read it and taken note that the people and the gods are no longer with him, but his desperation for power won’t let him see the signs and focus on other things that would help him redeem his battered image.
The fact remains that impact is not the exclusive preserve of the wealthy. It is not riches that drive service, but compassion, commitment, and a genuine heart for the people. Ayade’s leadership is lacking in these areas. In all we do, may Ayade never happen to us again in Jesus name
Birds of the same feather flock together, the former governor and a former Reps member (MP3) who was an anti-zoning advocate when he was running for third term in OBO against power shift to Obanliku LGA is now a pro-unknown zoning advocate due to his personal interests as usual. If there were zoning arrangements, why did Senator Ben Ayade from the OBO constituency contested in 2023 against Senator Jarigbe Agom, and why was he supported by our brother and friend, the former Reps member of OBO (defunct MP3)? Who among them zoned the senate to Ogoja LGA or to the present occupant? Have the two of them ever supported Ogoja LGA or Ogoja son or daughter for Senate since 1999 as a mother LGA before? “Man proposes, God disposes.” Senator Jarigbe Agom is a destiny child. God himself zoned senate to Ogoja LGA and him. So shall it be, and he is living up to our expectations. Let’s be wise and not allow people with their inordinate ambition to deceive us with unrecognised zoning slogan to divide us as people.
My heart bleeds when I see desperation taken too far, how on earth will an aspirant gather every Tom, Dick and Harry that can’t win polling unit or ward councillorship elections and call them senatorial aspirants of OBO and these set of unserious persons are ready to step down for one among them. We can’t recognise anyone as aspirants except you declare in your ward, LGA, State, including meeting stakeholders, buying intent, and nomination forms. There is nothing wrong in gathering likeminds to eat, drink, discuss, and take pictures together, but there is everything wrong in insulting our sensibilities by calling unpopular jokers aspirants who are ready to step down. Ignorance should not make a dog call a lion to a fight for any reason. With the popularity and acceptance of Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe across party lines and all LGAs, it will be easier for a camel to pass through the eyes of a needle than any aspirants to win him in 2027 elections. They can start early planning against 2031 because nobody has what it takes to defeat Sen Jarigbe Agom in 2027 by God’s grace.
As we look ahead to 2027, the choice before the people of Cross River North is simple and decisive. We can’t trade our diamond for a common stone. A tree is known for its fruit. This is not the time for experimentation or the recycling of failed and expired leadership. The gains recorded must not only be preserved but strengthened. We do not need a mirror to see what is already firm in our hands: Senate 2027: It is Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe or nothing by God’s grace🙏
Gabriel Bravo Oluohu (JP)
APC member and stakeholder since 2015
