Gov. Ayade Under Pressure To Drop His Chief Of Staff

The recent arrest of one Peter Akpanke, Rufus Awu and Charles Ikpeme, by the Department of State Services, DSS, in Calabar, Cross River State for allegedly impersonating with intent to defraud the head of a state government transport agency of N10 million, is believed to be at the centre of pressure being currently mounted on Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, to drop his Chief of Staff, Martin Orim, www.calitown.com can reveal.

While Orim has not been roped into Akpanke and co’s action, close government sources are insinuating that Ayade is uncomfortable that a principal staff like his Chief of Staff ought to have a small and responsible circle of friends incapable of any involvement in what Akpanke and co are allegedly involved in.

Those who have bothered to trace Akpanke’s relationship with Orim, readily point to an incident that both were allegedly involved in and published on lindaikeji.blogspot.com, July 21, 2015, purporting that the duo assaulted one Jeremiah Ashang and ordered a security aide to shoot the said Ashang at the Gramics Hotels, along Obudu Ranch road, CRS, shortly after Ayade appointed Orim Chief of Staff. While Orim had denied the allegation in an interview he granted www.calitown.com, one week after the incident took place, dust is currently being raised with Akpanke’s latest ordeal.

One source told www,calitown.com that, “when Akpanke had a birthday for a friend in a high brow hotel in Calabar not too long ago, they left behind a heavy bill that Orim had to sign for. I hope they have paid the money because the people like to live life on the fast lane and this is what often spells doom”.

In government circles, the word is hush as those inside hope the governor’s brother can prevail on him to keep Orim who seems to be neck-deep in a battle for survival as the heat goes on.