"I appointed 38,000 political aides to reduce poverty" – Governor Ayade

Governor Ben Ayade who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, has said that he appointed 38,000 political aides to reduce poverty.

Ayade in the interview on Arise TV, said the aim of the appointment was to give him the “emotional and social temperature to take advantage of his business connection to bring value to Cross River state”.

He said;

“In politics talk is cheap. I have history. I know clearly that poverty is extreme and I decided to bring 38,000 young people into the dining table to allow me the emotional and social temperature to take advantage of my business connection to bring value to Cross River state.

“These people are bringing values. I have several projects ongoing. All of these need people to manage. Besides let’s deal with it, if you look at the principles, section 14 of our constitution: the primary purpose of government is the welfare and security for the people. Of what use would it be to build a super highway or a deep sea port when 4.5 million people are dying out of hunger. It’s better to put food on a table than to put food on concrete. These 38,000 people have not only brought value, they’ve reduced poverty.”

On his defection to the APC, the Cross River state Governor said the move became necessary because his state is “challenged”.

Ayade said;

“Cross River state is challenged. We’ve lost oil wells; we’ve lost our territory. We seem to come from a minority section. We can’t also afford extreme opposition and I’ve always believed that moderation is the rule.”