Efio-Ita Nyok|18 August 2017
In reaction to the perceived misrepresentation of facts and reality one Ifere Paul has an ill-reputation for, a former chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council, Cross River chapter Mr Goddie A. Akpama, has taken to caution the former while suing for respect for the office of the Executive Governor of Cross River NegroidHaven can authoritatively inform.
In a press release made available to NegroidHaven tagged 'The Ifere Paul we do not Know', Mr Akpama observed that Mr Paul's criticism of Gov Ben Ayade, in being insulting, deliberately lacking in truth and short of being constructive has been taken unnecessarily personal. Mr Akpama who stressed the institutionality of the 'Office of the Governor' advice that it should be respected and constructively criticised.
His words, 'I have followed with keen interest the way Ifere Paul has been attacking the person of the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Professor Ben Ayade, in the guise of criticizing his administration. However, having analyzed his use of unprintable words against the personality of the governor, I as many other right-thinking Cross Riverians wish to say, Ifere Paul has taken it too personal, and therefore should be told in very blunt terms that he is wrong.
'Ifere Paul has failed to come to terms with the fact that after the 2015 governorship election Professor Ben Ayade immediately seized to be the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, as he was sworn-in he became the governor of Cross River State, and not the governor of PDP.
'So, hauling insults on the governor at every turn is unbecoming of someone like Ifere Paul who claims to be patriotic and very much in love with Cross River State.
'Doesn’t Ifere Paul know that the office of the governor, and the personality of anyone occupying it at any particular time is an institution that should be respected, and if need be, should be criticized constructively?'
Mr Akpama threatening to address the story of Mr Paul's deportation from China highlighted the fact that Paul's criticism against the governor should be issue-based and devoid of insults while challenging the later to state where the incumbent governor had done him any personal wrong.
Akpama asked, 'Where was Ifere Paul when Mr. Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke were governors? We never heard his voice then, or is it that he was sojourning then in China from where he was deported to Nigeria? We will come to this at the appropriate time.
'Ifere Paul, you should know that constructive criticism demands that you should call the governor’s attention to issues in the most civil manner, and proffer solutions.
'But, you have not done that at any point to my knowledge, and to the knowledge of many people in the state who have followed your post and comments about the administration and personality of Professor Ben Ayade.
'Please, it is high time you stopped, stop personalizing issues with the governor because, to my knowledge, he has not done anything personal against you except refusing to give you appointment in his administration, after writing proposals, and your so-called blueprint, which was not worth less than the value of the paper it was written on.
'Based on the above, I challenge you to mention one offence Governor Ben Ayade has committed against you as a person none! Why hide under the name of activism to always insult the person and office of the governor? Is that what you see from other states? Don’t you know your stand is a risk of constituting public nuisance! if you don’t desist forthwith from this infantile and “notice me” behaviour?'
Continuing, Mr Akpama accused Mr Paul of being the shadow of Chief Okoi Obono-obla (an allegation he claimed he can demonstrate), the SA to the President on Prosecution, having lost his shadow and not having conscience. He narrated how, according to him, Mr Paul relapsed into taking issues with the governor. Hear him out:
'Ifere Paul does abusing the governor coffer sainthood on you, Are you as clean as you want those who do not know you believe? Are you what you claim to be apart from being a megalomaniac? Ifere Paul is nobody but Okoi Obono-Obla's shadow, and I can prove that beyond any reasonable doubts.
'Ifere Paul, you have lost your shadows, and therefore because you have no conscience you tell plenty of lies to survive.
'To start with after you were deported from China close to the 2015 election; you came back to Cross River State confused, and dejected and, therefore needed rehabilitation desperately.
'Ifere Paul your hope was dashed when Fidelis Ugbo could not emerge as the governorship candidate of the PDP. With the election over, and Fidelis Ugbo losing to Professor Ben Ayade, There your wahala against Prof Ayade became personal.
'But, being a very desperate man without conscience, Ifere Paul you did not waste time as you schemed your way to penetrate Professor Ben Ayade who had become governor-elect, in order to be given a role in his in-coming administration. Using all available means, including sending of proposals and blueprints to Governor Ayade, after he had been sworn-in, you met a brick wall as Governor Ayade could not trust you.
'What is even baffling is that you go to every length to tell lies to gullible Cross Riverians about Governor Ayade, and other events in Cross River.
'Some days ago, you lied that Governor Ayade gave out N1 Billion to Makarfi for God knows what, but Makarfi rejected the money and told the governor to consider going to the senate. Ifere Paul, which reasonable person will take you seriously on this? Where you there when the offer was made? Is this not clear that you simply circulated hear-say as you have always done because you dislike Governor Ben Ayade? Some time ago, didn’t you tell lies that robbers had invaded the residence of architect Bassey Ndem in Calabar, when in reality, the shooting was at the field in front of INEC where some people were shooting into the air as they rejoiced during a social engagement that was going on?Indeed, you have told so many lies that have become “truth” because there has been no attempt to correct such lies.
'Ifere Paul, the Mr. holier than thou. You have been busy telling the world how you wrote petitions to the EFCC etc about Governor Ben Ayade and his brother Frank Ayade concerning the state’s finances. It is your right to write petitions, and remember it is the right of the EFCC to do their job without interference, and recourse to your emotions because all allegations made should be substantiated. If in the cause of investigation, it is found out that your allegations are unfounded, and false, what do you expect the EFCC to do? Do you expect the EFCC to embark on a witch-hunt of the governor and his brother just to please you, and give truth to your lies? Ifere Paul, do you want to teach EFCC their job? If your petitions are useless and baseless, they remain irrespective of your personal desires. Ifere Paul, I am not in the PDP. So, I am writing this as a concerned Cross Riverian who believes that the office and person of the governor deserves respect.
'Ifere Paul, GROW UP', he concluded.
Hmmm! With whom do you take sides with —Messrs Akpama or Paul? Do you find merit in Akpama's argument? Do you endorse Paul's activism in the light of the criticism now leveled against it?
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven