Movement dismisses allegations of hostility towards Governor Otu, accuses self-styled northern leaders of political mischief and attempts to manufacture division within the APC ahead of 2027.
The Ayadeism Movement has observed with grave concern the emerging pattern of political misrepresentation, calculated mischief and what appears to be a coordinated attempt by certain individuals parading themselves as leaders of thought from Cross River North to malign the person and political legacy of the former Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade.
It is particularly disturbing that some individuals who were beneficiaries, active participants and, indeed, integral components of the Ayade-led administration have suddenly assumed the position of moral custodians and political commentators, seemingly out of desperation to rewrite history and discredit a man under whose administration they once operated.
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We consider this development not only hypocritical but an unfortunate demonstration of the desperation that has become increasingly evident in certain political quarters.
For the avoidance of doubt, the comments attributed to Senator Prof. Ben Ayade was neither an attack on the incumbent Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, nor an attempt to undermine the current administration. His remarks were, in their entirety, consistent with his longstanding political position and commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the government of his successor, Governor Bassey Otu.
The former Governor merely reiterated his resolve to mobilise his political structure and supporters in support of the Tinubu/Otu political aspiration ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, a political party he played a historic role in establishing and strengthening in Cross River State.
How, therefore, can a statement of political solidarity suddenly become an offence in the hands of those who appear more interested in manufacturing controversy than promoting party unity?
THE DELIBERATE MISREPRESENTATION OF A FORMER GOVERNOR
We find it curious that individuals who claim to speak for Cross River North have chosen to extract isolated portions of the former Governor’s remarks, attach meanings that were never intended and subsequently circulate narratives designed to portray him as being at loggerheads with the incumbent Governor.
We challenge these individuals to produce the exact statement in which Senator Prof. Ben Ayade denigrated, insulted or expressed hostility towards Governor Bassey Otu.
Political disagreements should not become an excuse for intellectual dishonesty. Neither should legitimate conversations about political representation, fairness and inclusion be twisted into weapons of political blackmail.
When the former Governor expressed concerns about the perceived marginalization of the Ogoja people within the broader political equation, he was articulating a concern that deserves constructive engagement, not orchestrated outrage.
Cross River North has legitimate interests that must be respected. Speaking about those interests should not automatically be interpreted as an act of rebellion against the state government.
STOP USING GOVERNOR OTU AS A POLITICAL WEAPON AGAINST AYADE
We wish to state unequivocally that the Ayadeism Movement will not sit idly by while desperate political actors attempt to use Governor Bassey Otu as an instrument to settle personal scores with his predecessor.
Governor Otu is the Governor of Cross River State, and Senator Prof. Ben Ayade is a former Governor and serving political leader. Both have their respective political identities, contributions and responsibilities within the progressive family.
It is therefore mischievous for anyone to suggest that the two leaders must necessarily be in conflict simply because certain individuals are uncomfortable with Ayade’s continued political relevance.
The former Governor has consistently demonstrated support for the APC and the current administration. Those who genuinely wish Governor Otu well should be promoting reconciliation, political understanding and a stronger progressive family, rather than manufacturing imaginary hostilities between two leaders.
We must ask: Who benefits from a manufactured political confrontation between Ayade and Otu? What exactly are these individuals trying to achieve? And why are some people so uncomfortable with the former Governor’s continued relevance in the political affairs of Cross River State?
These are questions that deserve honest answers.
POLITICAL RELEVANCE CANNOT BE DESTROYED THROUGH SMEAR CAMPAIGNS
Let it be clearly understood that Senator Prof. Ben Ayade is not a political novice whose relevance can be determined by the approval or disapproval of a handful of political commentators.
His political journey, contribution to the emergence of the APC in Cross River State, tenure as Governor and continued participation in national politics constituted an established part of the state’s political history.
Those who benefited from his administration should exercise restraint before joining campaigns that seek to diminish his contributions.
It is particularly unfortunate when political actors who once enjoyed the privileges of government turn around to become the loudest critics of the very political structure that accommodated them.
We caution against the growing culture of political ingratitude, selective outrage and the dangerous assumption that public office confers permanent ownership of political loyalty.
No individual or group should imagine that discrediting Ayade is the only route to political relevance in Cross River North.
Political relevance is earned through leadership, credibility, consistency and verifiable contributions, not through sponsored narratives, social media propaganda or the deliberate demonisation of perceived political rivals.
OUR MESSAGE TO GOVERNOR BASSEY OTU
We respectfully urge His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, the People’s Governor, not to allow the antics and interpretations of desperate political interests to distort the cordial political relationship between him and his predecessor.
The Governor must be wary of individuals who may be projecting themselves as loyalists while simultaneously creating unnecessary divisions within the progressive family.
The success of the Otu administration should not be presented as requiring the political destruction or humiliation of Senator Prof. Ben Ayade.
Cross River State is bigger than individual political ambitions. The APC is bigger than any faction, and the collective interest of our people must take precedence over the private calculations of political actors.
We believe that Governor Otu has the political maturity and experience to distinguish genuine supporters from individuals whose political survival may depend on creating enemies where none exist.
OUR POSITION IS UNAMBIGUOUS.
The Ayadeism Movement wishes to place the following on record:
Senator Prof. Ben Ayade remains committed to the APC and has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
There is no basis for the deliberate attempt to portray the former Governor as being in conflict with the incumbent Governor over remarks that were never directed against him.
The legitimate concerns of Ogoja people and Cross River North regarding fairness, representation and inclusion must not be dismissed or criminalised as political disloyalty.
We condemn every attempt to deploy political propaganda, selective quotations and character attacks to manufacture an unnecessary confrontation between the two leaders.
We call on genuine stakeholders of the APC in Cross River State to prioritise unity, constructive engagement and collective political advancement ahead of 2027.
We advise individuals who have chosen to make the former Governor their permanent subject of political attacks to redirect their energy towards meaningful contributions to the development of Cross River State.
FINALLY, LET HISTORY BE THE JUDGE!
The Ayadeism Movement will not surrender the historical contributions of Senator Prof. Ben Ayade to revisionists, political opportunists or individuals whose present narratives contradict their previous political conduct.
1, We will defend his legacy with facts, defend his political relevance with conviction and resist every attempt to misrepresent his statements or manufacture hostility between him and Governor Bassey Otu.
2, Let it be known to all and sundry that Ayade and Otu do not have to be enemies for other politicians to become relevant. The politics of Cross River State must move beyond manufactured rivalries and unnecessary personality battles.
3, Those who are uncomfortable with Ayade’s political pedigree should find more productive ways to participate in the political process.
4, His political journey cannot be erased by manufactured controversies, nor can his contributions be wished away by those who suddenly find convenience in historical amnesia.
5, Cross River State deserves unity, not political mischief. It deserves responsible leadership, not manufactured controversies. And it certainly does not need political actors whose only apparent strategy is to create division between leaders who should be working together.
6, The Ayadeism Movement stands firmly for party unity, political fairness, mutual respect and the continued success of the APC in Cross River State.
ENOUGH OF THE POLITICAL MISCHIEF. ENOUGH OF THE CHARACTER ASSASSINATION. ENOUGH OF THE ATTEMPT TO CREATE ENEMIES WHERE NONE EXIST!
SIGNED:
AYADEISM MOVEMENT
