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| L-R: Deputy Governor Ivara Esu (with ADC behind) and Eyo Ekpo |
10 June 2019
His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu has incited the ire of Mr Eyo Ekpo the former gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in the recently concluded general elections in the state NEGROIDHAVEN has learnt.
Ekpo who drew attention to the absence of ADCs for three other state governors who took the same lectern on the same day and event queried via his social media account why the high ranking public officer on Saturday last week chose to mount the Church lectern of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria at Hope Waddel parish with his aide-de-camp, ADC. Ekpo rhetorically asked from what was the ADC protecting Esu who is incidentally an Elder of the Church in the said parish.
The boos which the speech of the deputy governor inspired from the crowd there present was understood to be a swift, powerful, precise, etc judgment to the high public office holder. He observed that not even the ADC could help the Deputy Governor.
Ekpo’s words reads in part, ‘The gentleman in the first picture is the former Governor of Cross River State. Observe: no ADC. The second picture is of the current Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Again, no ADC. The third picture is of the current Governor or Rivers State. Also, no ADC.
‘The 4th picture is of the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu. He is an Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria and Hope Waddell is his Parish. In other words, he was standing at the lectern of his home Parish Church. Yet, he walked up to that lectern with his ADC and let the poor fellow stand there behind him. To protect him against what?…
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| Former Governor Donald Duke |
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| Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State |
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| Gov Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State |
‘Guess what happened? The other 3 Governors received loud ovations- Donald Duke by far the loudest of all. Prof. Esu’s opening apology, however was immediately met with utter derision. Right there in the Church, his own Parish. His ADC could not protect him in any way. In other words, Judgment. Swift. Correct to the finest detail. More powerful than any earthly power. It was broadcast to the entire country live on AIT.
‘The image was graphic, telling, prescient. May the message, the lesson of yesterday, not be lost on those of us who rejoice in powerful titles like “Leader”, “President”, “Governor”, etc.’
The incident took place at funeral service of the late wife to Mr Ita Ekpenyong the former Director General of the Department of State Service, DSS.
Commenting below the thread, one Helen Brian said, ‘Well it’s a pity. Did he call the ADC? I guess no. I have worked with the former deputy governor, Barr Efiok Cobham and this has never occurred. Prof, being a ruling Elder will not need his escort to the lectern.’ On his part, Ojeka Ojeka said, ‘Do we have any governor in Cross River again.God gave us opportunities to change Ayade but we were fooled by his food on the table stories and i wonder who was feeding our people before he came. Duke is the governor of all time, this other one na complete failure’. While Utibe Ukim added that, ‘My beloved Cross River State has been on a rapid descent to the bottom of the cliff. Looks like we have been counting down since the days of Duke. Please let’s turn this anger into a sold process of getting us back on track.’ However, one Uvet E. Egwu observed that, ‘Albeit pride and ignorance being akin, Prof. Ivara Esu, is not known for taking pride in ignorance. This may be an oversight, or an ADC wanting to have his sense of importance. These stuff happens and gives room for discussion and judgement. On the grounds of justification, and as a ruling Elder, that was his cross. Still, these happens, lets cut the man some slack!’