Lessons from Ayade & Betta Edu.
HE Sen. (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu.
Your Excellency,
- I write this with respect and deep concern, drawing lessons from our recent political history in Cross River State, and many unfolding events.
Under HE Ben Ayade, I witnessed firsthand how excessive praise-singing from appointees and supporters led to political missteps. Many of those who hailed him as “the next President & Senate President” didn’t even vote for him during the primaries. The same happened during his senatorial election, loyalists publicly praised him, but privately worked against him, aided by the APC internal plots and the government’s poor performance.
Dr. Betta Edu’s case followed a similar path. Her supporters prematurely projected her as “the first female Governor,” attracting unnecessary political enemies. Today, both leaders have been sidelined, not just by political forces but by the dangers of surrounding themselves with sycophants and self-seekers.
Your Excellency, please learn from this. You are favored today, not because you schemed your way to power, but because circumstances opened the door through God, after when the system pushed you away. Don’t let sycophants blind you, season of sweetness is the office, not you. Often, those who don’t praise you loudly care more about your success and legacy.
I am PDP, but governance comes before politics. When it’s time for elections, we’ll play politics. But for now, I plead with you and Her Excellency, listen more to honest voices, not just sweet ones.
After your two-year mark, we will engage constructively and ask necessary questions, not out of hostility, but out of love for good governance.
I wish you the best my Governor, boss, and leader.
Respectfully,
Austine Ibok
Proud PDP Member & Coalition Hopeful
