Outgoing Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, says he should be held responsible if his successor, Bassey Otu, doesn’t do well.
Ayade stated this on Sunday at the inauguration Thanksgiving Mass held at Saint Charles Luanga Catholic Church in Essien Town, Calabar.
Ayade, who expressed confidence in the personality and capacity of Otu, said the state would understand the importance of electing him as Cross River governor later
According to the outgoing governor, “That is the kind of governor you are expecting, a man who is ready to sacrifice, a man who is ready to surrender his comfort to ensure that the citizens of Cross River State sleep well. No wonder, all the enemies started to ensure that today doesn’t happen, but God said, “Devil, you are a liar.
“If it was somebody else, by now, arrangements would have been in place on how to demolish streets, demolish houses, but a man of God is coming who has compassion. A man with character, a man with integrity, a man with honour, and the fear of God.
“If Bassey Otu does very well, glory to God, if Bassey Otu performs very well, after praising God, praise him for his goodness, but if Bassey Otu does not do well, hold me responsible, because this alliance and this commitment to handover power to Bassey Otu was signed and sealed since 2014.”
Also speaking, the chairman of the Cross River State Governorship Inauguration Committee, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said, “For Governor Ayade and his deputy, at midnight your tenure as governor and deputy ends. And for Bassey Otu, may God guide and direct you.”
The officiating minister, Rt. Reverend Father Malachi Ephraim, said Governor Ayade has shown so much love to the church in the state.
The cleric, who took his bible reading from the book of Genesis 11:1 to 9, which dwells on the Tower of Babel, admonished that “Pentecost means that as Cross Riverians we must come together to build up a state for ourselves. But the Lord told me that at this stage, you must do what is right in Cross River State. The spirit makes Senator Ntufam Bassey Otu qualify.
“But let me tell you, Senator Bassey Otu, It’s not going to be easy. So as you begin, rededicate yourself to God. As you begin, go and serve your people.”
