Politicians in Cross River State extraction have remained largely stunned after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Obari Ngelale, announced, late Tuesday evening, the appointment of former Cross River State Information Commissioner, Asu Okang, as the Cross River State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The appointment of Asu Okang, who stepped down from his position as commissioner under Ayade’s administration following the former governor’s defection to the APC, while he remained in the PDP, appears to have also sparked discontent among certain APC elements within the state. Sources within the APC establishment on the state, are suggesting that state governor, Bassey Otu, has yet to demonstrate a strong inclination towards engaging in national politics.
One top source within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Cross River State, who spoke with www.calitown.com, on conditions of anonymity, also submitted that after former state governor, Ben Ayade, lost out on a ministerial appointment, information was bandied around that he was going to be placated with the plum job of NDDC chairman. “Even some persons within the APC in the state, who replied those who taunted the former governor for his ministerial miss, boldly broached the idea that Ayade will end up with the NDDC top job. What has however played out is a shocker by all standards.”
Preliminary indications point the way of FCT minister, Nyesome Wike, and an elusive group of individuals believed to be the architects behind Okang’s appointment. We have been unable to corroborate this information; nevertheless, another source within the APC in CRS contends that “Okang is a member of the PDP who is being compensated with a prestigious position in an APC-led national government on behalf of an APC-governed state – do you believe this to be mere jest?”
Another APC stakeholder maintains this: “While we in APC bask in the glory of our minor triumph in the gubernatorial elections within Cross River State, our compatriots have unequivocally announced their presence on the national scene and are making significant strides towards greater success and advancing key men in key positions. If this appointment is not a statement, what will ever be?”
On social media, as expected, hordes of Cross Riverians are having lively but divided engagements on this appointment even though all of these engagements will have no direct consequences on Okang’s appointment.