Inside details of Ayade, Emmanuel’s plots to dump PDP

In from Olumide Olaoluwa . . .
Speculations are rife that Cross Rivers State governor, Ben Ayade, and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel may defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) any moment from now.
Though Ayade’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita, said that the speculation is untrue, checks revealed that his boss may dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) latest by the first quarter of 2016.
Sources in the Government House confided that Ayade has become uncomfortable in the PDP and considers having federal structure fundamental to achieving his gigantic projects for the state.
His unease in the PDP, according to investigations, is not unconnected with the suffocating influence of his predecessor and benefactor, Liyel Imoke.
Imoke, it was learnt, wields enormous influence that Ayade is uncomfortable with.
A source in his team said: “The governor is unhappy with the fence around him, especially in the House of Assembly that is filled with Imoke’s boys.
“He wants to break away and be his own man. His predecessor is still having his hands in so many pies that the governor feels he just has to break off to succeed with his mandate.”

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The desire to break away, it was gathered, has become more and more apparent in Cross Rivers PDP with chieftains alarmed that Ayade is dislodging Imoke’ legacies with ease.
The governor has altered the tax regime in the state said to be a major honey pie for Imoke and disbanded the anti-forestation task force put in place by his predecessor.
He has also sidelined the PDP hierarchy in the state with many chieftains complaining they are never carried along in key policy matters.
Ayade is said to be prepared to fight off Imoke’s influence, and sees an alignment with federal might as critical to this.
A source confided: “He wants Imoke off his back so that he can deliver good governance. The predecessor is a constant distraction that he cannot afford.”
The governor himself once said: “I am not a politician. Even if I do one term and go back with my parents’ name intact, I am okay.”
To effectively be his own man, Ayade believes the federal structure is his surest bet since the House of Assembly is littered with Imoke’s men.
His desire matches the disposition of the APC, which is seeking for an inroad to the South-South, which is completely in the grip of the PDP.
Only Edo State has an APC governor, leaving the ruling party seriously weakened in the oil-rich region.
The APC, according to a national officer, who craved anonymity, considers having a huge presence in the South-South fundamental to becoming a truly national party.
“We are not asking to become a one-party nation. No, far from it. But the truth is we need at least two or three South-South states in our kitty.
“The oil money in the states can do well to fund our political structure, even in poorer states.”
Aside from putting Imoke in his place, Ayade’s closest aides also confided that the governor has huge projects that will require federal attention and support to fly.
Some of these projects include the new seaport and the 240km superhighway that President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off after much persuasion.
Buhari was initially indisposed to commissioning the project especially in an opposition party but had a change of mind after party stalwarts pointed out the political calculations involved.
“If the governor can win the attention and support of the federal government, Cross Rivers will be almost a paradise.
“He will have the political support and financial resources to fund his projects. He will become the darling governor of the South-South,” a Government House source hinted.
The governor is said to be mindful of the fact that the APC needs a poster boy in the region and is willing to step into the shoes.
Already, major political opponents of Imoke have defected to the APC in the state. They are said to be preparing the grounds for the eventual welcome of the governor into their fold.
Political heavyweights that have joined the APC in Cross Rivers are immediate former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma- Egba; former Governor Donald Duke; governorship candidate, Prince Goddy Agba and Chief Ernest Irek.
Ayade, it was gathered, believes with such formidable men and their supporters behind him, he will be able to fight away Imoke’s structure in the state.
But his CPS, Ita, vehemently denied the speculation.
He said: “There is no such thing like that. It is a mere rumour and speculation that you should not waste time dealing with.”
Like Ayade, Like Emmanuel

In neighbouring Akwa-Ibom, Governor Udom Emmanuel is also said to be having a running battle with his predecessor Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio, the Senate Minority Leader, has started losing out in the power play less than six months after he installed Emmanuel.

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This reality, it was gathered, was why he fought tooth and nail to get the minority leadership to remain relevant politically.
Emmanuel not only rejected the former governor’s elder brother, Sir Emem Akpabio as Secretary to the State Government but also demolished the petrol station belonging to Prince Ukong Akpabio, also a brother to the ex-governor.
The station was between the Power Chapel Church and Sammies Eatery along Nnamba Road, Uyo.
Contrary to Akpabio’s instruction, Emmanuel also supported Aniekan Uko from Ibesikpo Asutan Constituency to emerge as Speaker.
The former governor’s nominee for the post was Ime Okon of Ibiono Ibom Constituency.
Emmanuel is also said to be furious that Akpabio left him a huge debt of N72billion and is prepared to eject the former governor from a guest house he allocated to himself in the Government House.
Knowing his predecessor has a deep pocket to prosecute political battles, Emmanuel is said to be backing on federal might to scale through.
He is believed to be willing to dump the PDP at the shortest possible notice because of political expediency.
The two governors move, it will be a major ‘coup’ for the APC, which is said to be obsessed with the idea of having significant presence in the South-South region.
Both governors are said to be fascinated by the project and have been in constant touch with APC’s top shots to actualise the dream.

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