Trouble Looms As Gov Otu Orders Immediate Evacuation of generators purchased by his predecessor, Ayade 

Trouble Looms As Gov Otu Orders Immediate Evacuation of generators purchased by his predecessor, Ayade

 

 

 

A quiet power tussle appears to be unfolding in Cross River State as Governor Bassey Otu has ordered the immediate evacuation of heavy-duty generators purchased by his predecessor, Professor Ben Ayade, and left unused in his hometown of Obudu.

 

 

The move, which has stirred political and public debate, comes amid an ongoing effort by the state government to recover public assets allegedly mishandled or abandoned by past officials.

 

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The evacuation order was formally issued last week through a letter signed by the State Security Adviser, Major General Okoi Obono (rtd), directing the relocation of the equipment to the Government House in Calabar.

 

The generators in question were part of several items previously flagged by the State House of Assembly, which had accused former Governor Ayade of retaining state-owned property. The Assembly had last year recovered some of these assets, including agricultural tractors and heavy-duty machinery.

 

Explaining the recent action, Governor Otu confirmed that he personally authorized the evacuation. According to him, the generators had been kept unused at the Obudu German Hospital since they were brought in under Ayade’s administration.

 

“They were not functional from the onset,” Otu said. “Yet the hospital houses critical equipment that require constant power. I had to import a brand-new solar-powered generator from Belgium to ensure uninterrupted electricity at the facility.”

 

Governor Otu emphasized that relocating the unused generators to Calabar would allow them to be refurbished and utilized at the Government House, rather than deteriorating in Obudu.

 

The decision is part of a wider clampdown on what the Otu administration describes as the unlawful occupation or appropriation of government property. Gilbert Agbor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Assets Management and Recovery of State Property, said the administration has recovered multiple state-owned assets—both movable and immovable—since Governor Otu assumed office two years ago.

 

“This is about accountability,” Agbor stated. “These are public resources meant to serve the people, not to be hoarded or mismanaged.”

 

Though the state government has yet to publicly accuse Ayade of wrongdoing, the decision to remove the equipment from his hometown has deepened political undercurrents in the state. Supporters of the former governor see the action as politically motivated, while others argue it marks a necessary step toward transparency and good governance.

 

As the recovery of state assets continues, many residents are watching closely to see how far Governor Otu is willing to go in holding past leaders accountable—and whether the efforts will lead to better service delivery or political friction.