TRACKING_____The Cross River State Government has cautioned Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike against making unpleasant remarks about his counterpart, Governor Ben Ayade.
The Cross River Government issued the warning in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, Asu Okang.
Governor Wike had during a media briefing on the update of Coronavirus in the state had classified Governor Ayade as one of the Governors that like to curry favour from the All Progressives Congress-led Federal.
Wike sarcastically referred to Governor Ayade as, “One of their loyal boys who could make any remark against the Federal Government without drawing their anger,” over the position of the state to quarantine NCDC officials visiting Cross River state.
“If I say so now they will say I am challenging the Federal government. If it came from Rivers state they will say we are fighting the Federal government but now that it is coming from one of their good boys no body is saying anything,” Wike added.
But the Cross River state government in the statement by Okang said, “It should be made crystal clear here that Governor Wike need not make reference to Governor Ayade and Cross River State in such a disparaging manner, but should have gone ahead to state his case and grievances against the APC- controlled Federal Government in Abuja.
“The attention of the Government of Cross River State has been drawn to the unsavory innuendos and disparaging remarks made by the Executive Governor of Rivers State,His Excellency,Mr. Nyesom Wike against his colleague and Digital Governor of Cross River State,His Excellency,Sir(Prof)Ben Ayade; during a Media Briefing on Rivers State progress report on the rampaging Corona Virus pandemic which was broadcasted live on AIT and several online Media as well as Radio and Television Stations.
“The State Government frowns at this unnecessary vituperations by a brother Governor from the same geo-political zone and political party.
“Governor Ayade is a highly revered Gentleman with sound character and high pedigree and of exceptional moral standing who has long understood the difference between party politics and governance. Elections we know,are long gone and it is now time for good governance for the overall interest of the citizenry.
“In this regard,Governor Ayade’s enviable relationship with the The President at the centre should not be misconstrued as a weakness or a lazy approach to governance that should now earn him the tag “Loyal boy.
“While we take exceptions to such disparaging remarks, Government further enjoins Governor Wike to play politics with ethics and sound political judgement as well as refrain from casting aspersions on the character of his colleagues,leading to hasty generalization.
“Cross River and Rivers States have come a long way as brothers and whatever differences their Leaders may have in approach to governance should be canvassed at their appropriate high level meetings and not discussed in the public domain such as a live Media Programme.”
