In Cross River, Ayade, appoints APC critic, others

Cross River state governor Ben Ayade has appointed his fierce critic and former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River central senatorial zone, Rt Hon Cletus Obun, into his cabinet as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication.

The governor had shortly after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, vowed to give appointment to 500 APC members.

Obun’s appointment and seven others is coming one month after Ayade’s defection from the PDP.

The governor, within the last two weeks, relieved many PDP members, who refused to join him in the APC, of their appointments.

However, in two separate press releases made available to Blueprint, and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita, the governor also brought on board Ntufam Etim John, who was a former APC state chairman.

John was appointed Special Adviser on Presidency.

Victor Omaha Odo, another APC chieftain, was appointed Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Odo is replacing the now Senator Stephen Odey.

In a similar vein, Mrs Bukie Abang became Special Assistant on New Media while Sir Victor Abang was made Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters. Otu Otu Ita was appointed Special Adviser on Budget.
Bobby Ekpenyong was also brought in as Director General of Waterways Services, while Barr Emmanuel Ake Udayi becomes Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters.

The governor’s spokesman, Christian Ita, said the appointments were with immediate effect.