Ayade under fire over NEC retreat

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has come under fire following his absence  from  the ongoing  National Economic Council retreat  in Abuja.

The  retreat is being  chaired by  Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Calabar-based   economic analysts George Ebri and Mike Effa expressed their disappointment at Ayade’s absence from the retreat, saying the state had missed an opportunity to benefit from a national event.

Ebri criticised  the governor’s refusal to direct   his deputy  Ivara Esu to represent him at  the event.

Ayade has been out of the country  since the second week of February without officially handing over to  Esu.

Ebri  said, “We are very sad that  our governor is absent from a retreat  to address the economic crisis confronting the country when his colleagues are there.

“The initiative is a welcome development. It’s what the country needs at this critical period. I enjoin President Muhammadu Buhari to sustain it and make it more frequent.”

Effa, who  queried the governor’s frequent foreign trips, lamented Ayade   had travelled to different countries without officially  handing over  to his deputy.

He said, “The situation in Cross River State where the governor has established offices outside the country is worrisome and it should be addressed  by the  House of Assembly.

“He  has deliberately denied us the opportunity to  share  our economic woes with other governors. I am sure he didn’t even direct his deputy to represent him.

“At this critical stage of our economy, Ayade has decided to operate annex offices in every part of the world to  the detriment of the masses. This is pure wickedness.”

SOURCE: THE PUNCH