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Ben Ayade
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Benedict Bengiuoshuye Ayade CON ((listenⓘ); born 2 March 1968) is a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Cross River State from 2015 to 2023.[1] He served as Senator for Cross River North from 2011 to 2015.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

He was born in Obudu LGA of Cross River State on 2 March 1968 to Peter Akinsheye Ayade and Beatrice Ngayi Ayade. He hails from Kakum Village, Ipong Ward of Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. His parents were both devout Catholics. His father worked as a public servant with the water board.[2]

Education

[edit]

Benedict Ayade received his primary education at St. Stephens Primary School, Obudu, and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Obudu, Nigeria, for his secondary education.[citation needed]

Ayade earned his B.Sc. (Honours) from the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Nigeria (1984–1988). He then proceeded to obtain his M.Sc. in microbiology (1989–1990) and subsequently his Ph.D. in environmental microbiology from the same University of Ibadan (1990–1994), winning the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in Environmental Microbiology. Ayade also has an MBA (2000–2002) from Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State. Ayade is a lawyer with an LL.B. law degree (2006–2010) from Delta State University, Abraka.[3] Ayade went on to work as a lecturer at Delta State University, Abraka, where he was subsequently appointed professor.[2]. Ayade has also obtained a Masters Degree (LL.B) in Law from the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.[1].

From his work in groundwater remediation in Nigeria, Ayade invented a sewage treatment plant powered by solar energy.[4]

Appointments/political career

[edit]
  • Chairman of Ecological Fund
  • Chairman of International Institute of Environmental Research
  • Member of Strategic Policy Advisory Council
  • Member of Nigeria Association of Petroleum Engineers
  • Member of Cross River State Poverty Alleviation Board[2]

Ayade ventured into politics when he ran for a seat in the Nigerian Senate in the 2011 elections as a member of the PDP. Ayade was elected by accumulating a total of 91,123 votes.[citation needed]

During his term in the Senate, Ayade held the position of vice-chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology. He was also a member of other committees such as Petroleum Downstream, Education, Drugs/Narcotics/Crime etc.[citation needed]

Ayade won the gubernatorial poll again on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 2015 elections in Cross River State, having polled 342,016 votes ahead of the All Progressives Congress candidate in the state, Odey Ochicha, with 53,983 votes.[5]

Ayade recontested in the 2019 gubernatorial elections as a member of the People Democratic Party (PDP) and was reelected as the governor of Cross River State.[6][4][7]

During his last year as governor, Ayade contested the 2023 Cross River North Senate Seat and lost to Sen. Jarigbe Agom.[8]

Awards

[edit]

Ayade was awarded the 2016 Vanguard Governor of the Year.[9]

Ayade was awarded the 2019 Champion Newspaper Governor of the Year.[10]

Ayade was awarded the 2020 Leadership newspaper Governor of the year.

Ayade was also awarded the Blueprint Newspaper Governor of the Year on Agro-industrialization 2021. The award was in recognition of his developmental strides on Agro-industrialization.

On 24 August 2019, Ayade was invested as the Knight of St. John (KSJ) International by the Roman Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Cathedral, the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Calabar.[11]

In October 2022, he was awarded a national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Muhammadu Buhari.[12]

Family and personal life

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Ayade is married to Dr. Linda Ayade and has 3 children.[13] His hobbies include reading, playing and watching games, as well as dancing.[2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ben Ayade

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from Grokipedia
Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade, commonly known as Ben Ayade (born 2 March 1968), is a Nigerian of environmental and who served as the of from 2015 to 2023. Born in Local Government Area of , Ayade holds a B.S. in from and a Ph.D. in environmental from the . Prior to his governorship, he represented Cross River North in the Nigerian Senate from 2011 to 2015 as a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Ayade's tenure as governor focused on an ambitious industrialization drive, initiating projects such as the Obudu International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Bakassi Deep Seaport, and various factories including those for pharmaceuticals, noodles, and garments, under the banner of the "Ayade ." While internally generated revenue rose by 69% from N13.56 billion in 2015 to N22.91 billion in 2021, his administration oversaw a 75% increase in state debt, from N236.30 billion to N275.34 billion between 2016 and 2021, with foreign debt climbing from $192.48 million to $279.71 million. Many flagship projects remained uncompleted or non-functional at the end of his term, despite some last-minute commissions, drawing criticism for poor execution, stalled development, and high rates reaching 53.65% in late 2020. After defecting to the (APC) in 2022, Ayade sought the Cross River North senatorial seat in the 2023 elections but lost to the incumbent PDP candidate, Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe, with appeals to overturn the result unsuccessful. His governance style, characterized by trillion-naira budgets with dramatic titles, earned recognitions like the 2016 Governor of the Year award but also faced scrutiny over unsubstantiated claims, such as denying foreign loans despite evidence to the contrary.

Early Life and Education

Early Life and Family Background

Benedict Ayade, born Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade on March 2, 1968, in the rural village of Kakum in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, grew up in a modest family environment marked by economic hardship. His father, Peter Akinsheye Ayade (1920–1997), worked as a public servant with the state Water Board, while his mother, Beatrice Ngayi Ayade, supplemented the family income by selling akara, a traditional bean cake. Both parents were devout Catholics who emphasized strong religious and moral values in raising their children amid the challenges of village life. Ayade's early years were shaped by the privations of in Kakum, a remote community where he and peers engaged in subsistence activities such as in the surrounding bush to supplement family resources. This background of resilience and , drawn from his parents' example of despite limited means, influenced his later emphasis on transformative development for underserved areas.

Formal Education and Academic Achievements

Ayade earned a B.Sc. (Honours) in from , , between 1984 and 1988. He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies at the , obtaining an M.Sc. in from 1989 to 1990 and a Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology from 1990 to 1994. During his doctoral program, Ayade was recognized as the top research student in 1994. Later, he acquired an MBA from , between 2000 and 2002, followed by an LL.B. in Law from , from 2006 to 2010. Ayade served as a and attained the rank of in Environmental at . In 2019, while serving as governor, he enrolled in a (LL.M.) program at the Faculty of Law.

Pre-Political Career

Academic and Scholarly Contributions

Ayade earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, followed by a Master of Science and a PhD in Environmental Microbiology from the University of Ibadan, where his doctoral dissertation received the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in Environmental Microbiology. He subsequently conducted post-doctorate research, securing funding in multi-million Japanese Yen for advanced studies. In his academic career, Ayade served as a lecturer in at , advancing to the rank of . His scholarly work emphasized practical applications in , including the of a solar-powered plant designed to address challenges in developing contexts. This innovation reflected his focus on sustainable environmental technologies, aligning with his expertise in and resource-limited settings, though peer-reviewed publications directly attributed to him remain limited in public academic databases. Ayade obtained a (LL.B.) degree from , spanning 2006 to 2010. Following completion of his undergraduate legal studies, he attended the , where he underwent professional training and was subsequently called to the bar as a and solicitor of the . Details of Ayade's private legal practice prior to his entry into politics in 2011 remain sparsely documented in , with available sources indicating that his professional activities as a newly qualified overlapped significantly with his academic lecturing role at . No specific , chambers, or notable litigations handled by Ayade in this period are prominently recorded, suggesting a focus on scholarly pursuits rather than extensive courtroom or advisory engagements.

Political Career

Senatorial Tenure (2011–2015)

Benedict Ayade was elected to represent Cross River North Senatorial District in the Nigerian during the April 9, 2011 general elections, contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He secured victory over candidates from opposing parties, assuming office on June 6, 2011, and serving until May 29, 2015, as part of the 7th . In the , Ayade held the position of Vice Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Ecology, where he prioritized initiatives for , , and remediation efforts relevant to ecologically challenged regions like . He also contributed to committees addressing social and economic issues, leveraging his background in and consultancy. His legislative focus included advocacy for enhanced federal ecological funds allocation to states facing degradation, reflecting concerns over and preservation in northern Cross River. Ayade sponsored multiple bills during his tenure, including those aimed at economic stabilization, such as the Nigerian Naira Stabilisation Bill and the Nigeria Expatriate Quota Control Bill, as well as measures for job creation and protection. He supported motions and legislation emphasizing citizens' rights safeguards and reforms, though specific passage rates for his proposals remain undocumented in primary legislative records. These efforts positioned him as an active participant in debates on and development, prior to his successful transition to the 2015 gubernatorial race.

Governorship of Cross River State (2015–2023)

Benedict Ayade assumed office as governor of on May 29, 2015, following his victory in the April 11, 2015, gubernatorial election on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), where he secured approximately 320,000 votes against his main rival's 28,000. He was re-elected for a second term on March 9, 2019, defeating the (APC) candidate with over 250,000 votes amid reports of electoral irregularities raised by opposition parties. Ayade's tenure, spanning eight years until May 29, 2023, centered on an ambitious industrialization agenda aimed at economic diversification beyond federal oil allocations, emphasizing agro-processing, manufacturing, and infrastructure to create jobs and reduce poverty in a state with limited oil revenue after losing wells to neighboring Akwa Ibom. The administration proposed over 30 industrial outfits, including garment factories projected for 3,000 jobs, rice seedling plants, toothpick factories, and pharmaceutical units, alongside mega-infrastructure like the Obudu International Cargo Airport, Bakassi Deep Seaport, and a 275 km superhighway linking Calabar to . Ayade signed the Fund Bill into law in July 2015 to finance such developments through bonds and partnerships, while annual budgets—titled creatively like "Budget of Deep Vision" (N350 billion in 2016)—prioritized these sectors. Internally generated revenue rose 69% from N13.56 billion in 2015 to N22.91 billion in 2021, attributed to reforms and facilitation efforts. However, by the end of his term, most factories remained non-operational due to funding shortfalls and maintenance issues, and key projects like the airport and seaport were incomplete despite groundbreaking ceremonies and partial funding from federal sources. Ayade's governance saw the state debt balloon to N275.34 billion domestically and $279.71 million externally by 2021, a 75% increase from 2016 levels, fueled by loans for unyielding ventures amid 53.65% in late 2020 and Cross River ranking 33rd out of 37 states in ease of doing business by 2023. Late-term commissions, such as the Teachers and a 140-bed Obudu-German Specialist Hospital in May 2023, occurred despite incomplete works, drawing scrutiny over functionality. The tenure also featured no civil servant promotions for seven years, exacerbating discontent, while assets inherited from prior administrations, like Ranch, deteriorated without revitalization. Ayade defected to the in May 2021, citing ideological alignments, but maintained PDP structures until handing over to successor .

Major Policy Initiatives and Economic Strategies

Ayade's economic strategy emphasized industrialization, particularly agro-industrialization, to transition from reliance on federal allocations toward self-sufficiency through value addition to agricultural commodities and . He targeted growing the state's from N2.7 to N9.6 by 2023, focusing on sectors like agriculture processing, textiles, and pharmaceuticals to create jobs and stimulate local production. Central to this was the establishment of over 30 factories across the state, including the Rice Seed and Seedling Factory in for boosting rice output from 50,000 metric tonnes annually in 2015, the Cocoa Processing Factory in , and the Toothpick Factory in Ekori commissioned on March 11, 2019, capable of producing 31 million toothpicks daily. Other key facilities included the Cross River Garment Factory, CalaPharm pharmaceutical plant, Kisimie Noodles Factory, Calachika Processing Plant (processing 24,000 birds per day), Factory, and Feedmill, many of which were inaugurated in May 2023. To ensure sustainability, Ayade pursued concessioning these industries to private operators starting in 2022, arguing it would leverage expertise and funding beyond state capacity while retaining equity stakes. In July 2021, he launched a state industrial policy, earning recognition from the as Nigeria's champion of industrialization for prioritizing manufacturing revival. Annual budgets reflected this vision, themed around transformation such as the 2016 "Budget of Deep Vision" and 2019 "Budget of Kinetic Crystallization," allocating resources to industrial infrastructure and agricultural mechanization via equipment hiring centers.

Infrastructure Developments and Mega-Projects

Ayade's administration pursued an industrialization agenda through the creation of the Special Economic Zone and the Ayade Industrial Park in , aiming to establish multiple factories for value-added processing of local resources. In 2016, the government announced plans for 38 factories, including facilities for toothpicks, garments, and rice milling, supplemented by proposed two-megawatt power plants in each of the state's 18 areas to support operations. However, by 2022, most of these factories had failed to achieve sustained functionality, with critics attributing this to inadequate , market challenges, and mismanagement. The Cross River Garment and Textiles Factory, a flagship project within the , was commissioned in 2018 and received a federal export license that year, enabling initial production of school uniforms and military apparel. Intended to employ thousands and reduce dependence, the facility employed over 1,000 workers at peak but ceased operations amid looting during the 2020 EndSARS protests and subsequent abandonment, leaving the site overrun by weeds and wildlife by late 2023. Transportation infrastructure featured prominently, including the proposed 260-kilometer superhighway from Bakassi Peninsula to border, launched in 2015 to boost connectivity and economic corridors but rerouted in 2017 amid environmental opposition over deforestation risks to . The project, which involved demolishing homes and farmlands affecting thousands, was effectively halted by 2021 due to funding shortfalls and legal challenges, with no completion during Ayade's tenure. The International Cargo , initiated to enhance access to Obudu Cattle Ranch, progressed to runway construction phases by 2023, with Ayade allocating funds for completion despite criticisms of its economic viability in a low-traffic region. Complementary road networks, including rural-urban links totaling over 1,000 kilometers, were constructed or rehabilitated, such as segments in and northern districts, though maintenance issues persisted post-handover. In May 2023, Ayade inaugurated approximately 13 projects, including roads and bridges, ahead of his term's end.

Social, Environmental, and Security Measures

During his governorship, Ayade introduced social welfare initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable populations, including monthly stipends for widows and elderly citizens to alleviate poverty. He also launched the Ayadecare health insurance scheme in May 2018, which provided coverage for residents after being signed into law 20 months earlier, alongside renovations of primary and secondary health facilities across the state. Ayade's administration allocated 31% of the 2023 state budget—approximately N102.3 billion from a total of N330 billion—to salaries, gratuities, pensions, and programs targeting extreme poverty and associated criminality. To promote youth inclusion, he adopted the "Ayadesian Theory of Expanded Government," which integrated young people into governance structures. Additionally, Ayade appealed to the federal government for partnerships in school feeding programs to enhance education access. On environmental fronts, Ayade established the Ministry of Climate Change and Forestry to address climate issues and oversee forestry management in a state rich in rainforests serving as a greenhouse gas sink. His administration promoted anti-deforestation campaigns, tree-planting drives, and eco-friendly projects, while advocating for increased federal ecological funds to tackle state-specific challenges like soil erosion from tree felling. However, the proposed 260 km superhighway project initially routed through protected forests and reserves, including areas abutting Cross River National Park, drew criticism for potential deforestation and biodiversity loss; following stakeholder pressure and a 2017 federal forum, Ayade announced rerouting to avoid Ekuri forest and the national park, a move commended by the World Bank for balancing development with conservation. For , Ayade signed an anti-kidnapping in 2017 prescribing the penalty for convicted kidnappers to deter rising abductions. In December 2020, he launched a state outfit under his direct oversight as , which supporters credited with busting criminal networks and restoring relative calm, positioning Cross River among safer states. Operations included "Operation Show of Force" in July 2016 targeting waterfront hideouts and door-to-door searches, alongside proactive steps against interstate boundary clashes and waterway . Despite a monthly vote exceeding N7 billion in some periods, critics noted persistent insecurity, including kidnappings, attributing lapses to inadequate rather than lack of funding.

Defection to APC and Post-Governorship Politics

On 20 May 2021, Benedict Ayade, then governor of , defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the , along with his deputy governor and numerous supporters. Ayade announced the switch during a at the Governor's Office in , hosted by APC governors, emphasizing the need for national unity to tackle state-level issues such as funding constraints, infrastructure gaps, and youth unemployment. The defection, occurring midway through his second term after winning elections on the PDP platform in 2015 and 2019, prompted legal challenges from the PDP, which argued it violated anti-defection clauses; however, courts deferred or did not overturn the move, allowing Ayade to complete his tenure under the APC. The switch was interpreted by observers as a strategic alignment with the ruling federal party to bolster prospects for Cross River's candidates in the 2023 elections, including Ayade's own ambitions, amid tensions with PDP national leadership. Ayade positioned the move as a commitment to collaborate with President Muhammadu Buhari's administration for national development, though critics within the PDP accused it of opportunism to evade internal primaries and secure federal patronage. In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, Ayade contested the Cross River North senatorial district seat on the platform, aiming to return to the after his prior tenure from 2011 to 2015. On 25 February 2023, he was defeated by the incumbent PDP senator, Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe, in a contest marked by voter preference for the sitting representative despite Ayade's incumbency as governor and party switch. The loss ended Ayade's immediate electoral pursuits, coinciding with the 's success in securing the Cross River governorship for , whom Ayade had endorsed as successor. Following the handover of governorship to Otu on 29 May 2023, Ayade has maintained affiliation with the in , occasionally issuing statements on state matters and defending his legacy against criticisms of governance. However, he has not held elected office or prominent party positions publicly documented since, with reports indicating reduced frontline involvement amid internal APC dynamics and ongoing debates over his influence in state politics. Speculation persists regarding potential future bids, such as challenging Agom-Jarigbe in 2027, but no formal announcements have materialized as of late 2025.

PDP to APC Switch (2021)

On May 20, 2021, Ben Ayade, the Governor of , formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the (APC), marking a significant shift for a state long aligned with opposition politics. The announcement occurred during a meeting at the Government House in with six APC governors, including those from Kebbi, Zamfara, , Jigawa, Gombe, and states, who had visited to encourage his move. Ayade's deputy governor, Ika Olu Omotoso, joined the defection, along with several PDP lawmakers and supporters, bolstering APC's presence in the state assembly. Ayade attributed the switch to perceived marginalization within the PDP, including denial of key leadership positions such as zonal chairmanship despite his loyalty and electoral successes on the party's platform in 2015 and 2019. He described the PDP's internal dynamics as characterized by "propensity for manipulation of facts" and a lack of recognition for his contributions, positioning the as a platform better aligned with federal governance and national development goals. Critics within the PDP, however, labeled the defection "unprovoked" and a , arguing it stemmed from personal ambitions rather than ideological differences, especially amid Ayade's prior frustrations over party primaries and influence in Cross River's PDP structure. The move prompted immediate political repercussions, including PDP accusations of Ayade's subsequent attempts to seize control of the party's state secretariat in on May 22, 2021, which escalated tensions and led to legal disputes over property rights. Legally, the defection faced challenges under Nigeria's electoral laws, which permit governors to switch parties without vacating office if done before the end of their term, though opponents like PDP chieftain Ukala Ogbaji filed suits questioning its validity; courts later deferred judgments without overturning the switch. Ayade's action was viewed by leaders as a strategic gain in penetrating PDP strongholds in the South-South region, potentially easing federal-state alignments for infrastructure funding.

2023 Senate Bid and Electoral Outcome

Following the end of his second term as governor on May 29, 2023, Ayade, who had previously represented Cross River North Senatorial District in the Nigerian from 2011 to 2015, sought to return to the upper chamber as the () candidate in the February 25, 2023, elections. His candidacy faced early scrutiny, including claims by INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini that Ayade's prolonged governorship might disqualify him under constitutional tenure limits for senators, though he was cleared to contest. Ayade was defeated by the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe, who secured re-election with results announced on , 2023. The loss surprised some APC members in , attributed by party insiders to factors such as voter fatigue from Ayade's eight-year governorship, incomplete integration after his 2021 defection from PDP, and Jarigbe's incumbency advantage amid PDP's stronger local mobilization. Ayade and the challenged the results at the , alleging irregularities, but the tribunal affirmed Jarigbe's victory in September 2023. The Appeal Court dismissed their further appeal on November 4, 2023, upholding Jarigbe's mandate and ending Ayade's immediate return to federal politics.

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Governance Failures and Project Abandonment

Critics of Ben Ayade's governorship (2015–2023) have alleged systemic governance failures manifested in the initiation of numerous high-profile industrial, , and educational projects that were subsequently abandoned or stalled, resulting in financial waste, community hardships, and unfulfilled economic promises. These claims, drawn from investigative reports, emphasize patterns of inadequate feasibility assessments, mismanagement, contractor disputes, and executive overreach, often without robust legislative or public input. Ayade's administration defended such ventures as visionary for industrialization and connectivity, but detractors argued they exemplified over practicality, exacerbating Cross River State's burden without commensurate development. The most cited example involves Ayade's push for 38 factories to industrialize the state, with announcements beginning in September 2015 to create jobs, empower youth and women, and diversify from oil dependency. Intended as processing hubs for and —such as milling, garment production, and a N12 billion banana plantation—these projects spanned the state but, by April 2022, saw 95% either under perpetual , equipped yet idle, or fully abandoned. Factors included chronic underfunding, global supply disruptions from , and flawed execution, with critics noting Ayade's unilateral approvals bypassed thorough viability studies, turning potential assets into "white elephants." State officials, like economic adviser Christian Ita, cited shortages as a barrier to , while Ayade himself framed the factories under a "food-on-the-table" that prioritized rapid rollout over sustainability. Infrastructure initiatives faced similar scrutiny, particularly the 145-kilometer Northern Superhighway launched in 2016 to link rural northern areas to urban centers and boost . The project displaced hundreds of residents, demolishing homes, shops, and farmlands—such as those of Adie Sunday Atennor and Emmanuel Bisong—amid complaints of meager compensation (e.g., N200,000 for multi-property losses rejected by families like Okie John Ushie's). By 2019, contractors abandoned segments due to landowner disputes, subpar construction, and payment delays, leaving roads to deteriorate into hazards by 2025; partial re-awards to firms like Sydney Construction Limited failed to revive momentum. Lacking comprehensive environmental assessments or resettlement plans, the highway symbolized alleged disregard for community impacts, with ongoing litigation over claims like N16 million demanded versus N6 million offered for key parcels. Educational procurement irregularities further fueled abandonment charges. In 2020–2021, Ayade awarded a N90 million contract for printing state examination materials to Awokaris Industrial Limited, an unqualified environmental firm, disbursing N250 million before abrupt termination without deliverables or justification—violating the Public Procurement Law (2020, Part 3, Section 6(a)). A parallel N20 million consultancy for the British Canadian University in yielded overgrown, incomplete structures entangled in ownership disputes involving private entities like Kingshill Education Limited, rendering the site unusable. Audits highlighted overpayments and non-compliance, portraying a lapses in oversight and value for money. Inherited yet unaddressed projects amplified these critiques; for instance, the African Development Bank-funded Yahe-Wanokom-Wanihem-Benue Border Road, awarded in 2010, languished in disrepair under Ayade despite appeals, with the administration ignoring a March 2021 request for contract sums, timelines, and abandonment rationale—breaching the 2011 FOI Act's seven-day response mandate. Such opacity, per transparency advocates, perpetuated a cycle of stalled development, where billions in allocations evaporated without accountability, underscoring broader allegations of fiscal irresponsibility amid Cross River's revenue constraints.

Suppression of Dissent and Press Freedom Issues

During his tenure as Governor of from 2015 to 2023, Ben Ayade faced accusations of suppressing dissent through the arrest and detention of journalists and critics who published reports challenging his administration's actions. A prominent case involved Agba Jalingo, publisher of CrossRiverWatch, arrested on , 2019, by the State Security Service following an article alleging that Ayade diverted 500 million naira intended for the state's cocoa factory to purchase furniture for his residence. Jalingo was charged with treasonable , terrorism, cultism, and , offenses carrying severe penalties including , and detained without for over five months despite orders for his release. The government took over prosecution from federal authorities, prompting to accuse it of manipulating charges to silence criticism and violating freedom of expression rights. Ayade publicly defended restrictions on media freedom, stating in November 2020 at a security summit that Nigeria should not have "absolute " and advocated for tighter controls to curb and insecurity. This stance aligned with actions such as barring government house correspondents from select media outlets, including CrossRiverWatch and , from covering state events starting in June 2019, after reports deemed unfavorable by the administration. In January 2020, Ayade issued directives prohibiting commissioners and appointees from granting media interviews or posting policy statements on without his approval, citing the need to maintain message discipline. Other incidents included the September 30, 2019, arrest of lawyer and critic Joseph Odok, accused of and detained in for alleged links to pro-democracy groups protesting Ayade's governance. Odok, who had publicly criticized state policies, was released after weeks in custody amid concerns. In August 2022, faced rearrest over a report implicating Helen Bassey, sister-in-law to Ayade, in contract irregularities; he was charged under laws but later acquitted in 2024. organizations, including the for the Welfare of Prisoners' Families and Media Rights Agenda, condemned these patterns as to intimidate journalists, noting repeated use of agencies to target outlets like CrossRiverWatch. Ayade's administration denied orchestrating overreach, attributing arrests to federal police actions and framing critics as threats to state .

Financial Mismanagement and Debt Claims

Cross River State's public increased during Benedict Ayade's governorship from 2015 to 2023, with total reaching N159.81 billion in 2021 and N197.21 billion in 2022, according to data from the Debt Management Office (DMO). This rise occurred amid borrowing for projects, including loans that critics argued lacked legislative approval or clear economic justification, exacerbating the state's fiscal strain given its inherited high profile—placing it among Nigeria's top three most indebted states prior to Ayade's inauguration. A notable allegation of mismanagement centered on a N1.4 billion foreign purportedly acquired in 2020 without approval, as required for subnational external borrowing under Nigerian law. An investigative report detailed that this contributed to the state's total debt stock climbing to N236.3 billion post-acquisition, yet the funds' utilization remained untraceable in state records, prompting accusations of opacity and potential diversion. The Auditor-General denied the 's existence in a , claiming no foreign borrowing occurred that year, but this response was criticized for inconsistencies, including failure to address discrepancies in debt servicing records and prior DMO filings. Further claims highlighted systemic issues in fiscal oversight, such as unexecuted budget lines and wasteful spending on "mega-projects" like the superhighway, which fiscal watchdog BudgIT warned could saddle the state with 180 years of repayment obligations based on projected revenues as of 2018. Ayade's administration faced accusations of incurring up to N500 billion in corrupt practices, including padded contracts and ghost payments, though these remain unproven in court; anti-corruption group NACAT urged Ayade to challenge the claims legally if unfounded. Post-tenure assessments, including by the state House of Assembly Speaker, described a N740 billion debt overhang—including principal, interest, and unpaid contractor liabilities—left for successor , attributing it to unchecked borrowing and poor revenue diversification. Ayade defended his record by asserting inheritance of a "" with pre-existing fiscal woes from prior administrations, claiming his policies aimed at long-term industrialization despite short-term pressures; however, DMO figures indicate no substantial reduction during his tenure, fueling ongoing debates over borrowing efficacy versus infrastructural gains.

Legacy and Impact

Key Achievements and Defended Contributions

Ayade's administration emphasized agricultural industrialization to diversify the and promote value addition in raw commodities. Key initiatives included the construction of a cocoa processing plant in , a mill in , and a in , designed to process local produce and create jobs. These projects, advanced toward completion by mid-2018, contributed to his recognition as the Best Performing Governor in the sector by BusinessDay Newspaper in July 2018. Supporters defend these efforts as foundational for reducing post-harvest losses and fostering agro-based industries, with Ayade receiving the Blueprint Newspaper Governor of the Year award for agro-industrialization in 2021. In the health sector, Ayade introduced policies that prioritized upgrades, staff welfare, and service delivery, positioning Cross River as Nigeria's top-performing state in metrics by September 2018 according to sector analysts. These measures included expanded primary healthcare centers and free maternal services, defended by proponents as causal drivers of improved outcomes in a resource-constrained federal system. Infrastructure developments under Ayade featured rural-urban road connectivity, such as the asphalt overlay of the IBB Way in extending to Effio-Ette, and social housing for returnees displaced by territorial disputes. He robustly defended the 260-kilometer superhighway project at international forums like COP22 in , arguing its economic necessity outweighed environmental risks through mitigation strategies like elevated sections over wetlands. These were cited in his of the Year award for visionary leadership in sustainable growth. Fiscal discipline in salary and pension payments was highlighted as a core achievement, with Ayade maintaining regularity amid national economic downturns from 2015 to 2023, which he described as a foundational enabler for public trust and operational continuity.

Balanced Assessments from Supporters and Critics

Supporters of Ben Ayade's governorship emphasize his push for industrialization and economic diversification, crediting him with establishing facilities such as the Rice Seeds and Seedlings Multiplication City in , an ultra-modern rice mill, and the Cross River Garment Factory, which employed up to 2,000 workers, including many widows. They also praise infrastructure initiatives like the dualization of the 148 km Calabar-Odukpani highway, the 30 km Boki East-West road with a link bridge, and expansions at Cattle Ranch, arguing these laid foundations for long-term growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Additional defended contributions include the Obudu German Specialist Hospital (140 beds), the Teachers Continuous Training Institute, and the Cross River Bank with N600 million seed capital, which supporters claim addressed healthcare, education, and gaps. Critics counter that Ayade's focus on "grandiose" projects often resulted in incomplete or non-functional outcomes, with key initiatives like the International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Deep Seaport, and expansions at Cattle Ranch remaining abandoned despite substantial investments. They highlight a 75.21% rise in state debt to N275.34 billion by 2021 (including $279.71 million in foreign debt), attributing it to overambitious spending that strained finances without proportional benefits, alongside high at 53.65% in Q4 2020 and seven years without civil servant promotions. Stakeholders from labor unions and civil society describe the tenure as directionless, accusing it of neglecting —a state mainstay—and imposing a developmental setback equivalent to two decades, with many commissioned factories underutilized or idle.

Long-Term Effects on Cross River State and Nigerian Politics

Ayade's governance from 2015 to 2023 saddled Cross River State with a mounting debt burden that persists into subsequent administrations, constraining public spending and infrastructure revival efforts. Total state debt rose to N197.21 billion by the end of 2022, reflecting cumulative borrowings for mega-projects amid stagnant revenue growth. Foreign debt accumulation, despite Ayade's public denials of new loans, contributed to this escalation, with fact-checks confirming unauthorized external borrowings that bypassed federal approvals. By mid-2023, the debt-to-revenue ratio exceeded sustainable levels, forcing the incoming administration under Bassey Otu to prioritize servicing over new investments, thereby delaying recovery in sectors like agriculture and tourism. The proliferation of unfinished or abandoned initiatives, such as the 38 promised factories—of which over 95% remained non-operational by 2022—exemplifies resource misallocation that yielded negligible industrialization gains. Facilities like the Garments Factory deteriorated into derelict sites overrun by wildlife, symbolizing foregone employment opportunities for thousands in a state with limited private-sector alternatives. Similarly, the 275-kilometer superhighway project demolished homes and farmlands across northern communities without advancing beyond initial phases, inflicting uncompensated displacements and on rainforests while failing to enhance connectivity. Abandonment of , including a key project in , correlated with heightened health crises, including outbreaks that claimed at least 51 lives by late 2023 due to contaminated sources. On the political front, Ayade's 2021 defection from the PDP to the amplified perceptions of opportunistic party-switching in , a practice that undermines institutional stability but rarely alters national power dynamics. His subsequent loss in the 2023 Cross River North senatorial to APC rival Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe highlighted voter backlash against perceived disloyalty, fracturing local party structures and contributing to PDP's diminished influence in the state. Nationally, Ayade's tenure reinforced critiques of gubernatorial overreach in , as unviable mega-projects mirrored patterns in other states where short-term via groundbreaking ceremonies overshadowed viable , fostering a cycle of debt and disillusionment. This has prompted calls for stricter fiscal oversight, though enforcement remains inconsistent across 's subnational entities.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Benedict Ayade was born on March 2, 1968, in Local Government Area of , , to Peter Akinsheye Ayade and Beatrice Ngayi Ayade, both devout Catholics who instilled strong religious values in their family. His father served as a public servant in the state . Ayade is married to Dr. Linda Ayade, a medical doctor. The couple has three children.

Awards, Honors, and Personal Interests

Ayade received the Vanguard Newspaper Governor of the Year award in 2016, recognizing his early tenure performance. He was also honored as Tell Magazine Governor of the Year in 2016 and Champion Newspaper Governor of the Year during his governorship. In 2021, he won the Blueprint Newspaper Governor of the Year award for agro-industrialization initiatives. The Top10 Magazine Excellence Awards named him Governor of the Year in 2021, citing his economic knowledge and leadership. In August 2019, Ayade was invested as a Knight of St. John (KSJ) International by the Roman Catholic Church, reflecting his involvement in Catholic charitable activities. On October 21, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari presented him with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Nigeria's second-highest national honor, for contributions to public service. Earlier that month, he received a National Public Service award from the federal government. Ayade's personal interests include reading, playing and watching sports games, and dancing. These pursuits complement his academic background as a of , where he earned a PhD in environmental microbiology from the and achieved professorial status in his early thirties.

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