He was not born in palace, but the sound of the talking drum knew his name before the world did. When others heard lullabies, he heard destiny beating in the skin of that drum.
Today, we do not merely speak of names, we declare the legacies of men and women who have not only ascended the ladders of power but are now shaping the destiny of Cross River State and influencing the national conversation with remarkable force.
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jnr; Senator Etim Williams; the politically strategic and intellectually grounded APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba ; Senator Stephen Odey; the transformative Commissioner for Education, Dr. Betta Edu; and the indefatigable Hon. Dr.Stella Oreme Odey-Ekpo, these are not mere beneficiaries of political favour. They are the deliberate, intentional outcomes of one man’s visionary leadership: Senator Prof. Ben Ayade.
Let the record be clear and loud: Ayade did not just govern, he architected a system. He built men. He elevated women. He molded leaders, not sycophants. He was not content with ruling for a time; he planted seeds for a political future, nurtured them with wisdom and mentorship, and today we see the fruits, a battalion of capable, charismatic, and courageous leaders.
He shattered the old, recycled political order that thrived on loyalty without capacity. In its place, he institutionalized leadership, one rooted in grassroots connection, intellectual depth, strategic thinking, and performance-driven governance.
Those who truly understand the principles of generational political succession will agree: Ayade raised no praise-singers, he raised decision-makers. He did not settle for crowd-pleasers, he built agenda-drivers. He did not promote blind loyalty, he groomed bold thinkers who can defend a vision and drive a mission.
And to those who reduce politics to online noise, insults, and party-based
