Ayade said he was able to survive due to divine ingenuity, knowing that the state received the least federal allocation, sometimes N800m.

Ben Ayade

The immediate past governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade has hailed his achievements for the past 8 years as he hands over to the incoming government.

In his valedictory speech before handing over power to Prince Bassey Edet Otu at the UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar, Ayade said he was able to survive due to divine ingenuity, knowing that the state received the least federal allocation, sometimes N800m.

“I am indeed a magician to have been able to govern the state exceptionally well, building over 40 industries, which I will still commission even after office alongside the new governor. I paid salaries monthly without fail.

“I will still be commissioning my projects even after leaving office..”

He said he came to power with good health and was leaving in peace and in good health.

He called for maximum support for his successor. “Where I succeeded, may Senator Otu succeed better; where I failed, may Otu succeed.

“I call on all to give a thousand more support to Otu.

He lauded his tenure as having succeeded in ensuring rotational power distribution, maintaining that Otu’s tenure will be a continuation of his government.

“History will judge me well because I insisted on the Back to South project.

“I could have chosen any of my young commissioners but I chose Otu to succeed me because of his fine qualities and to pay him back for his support.”

Ayade also remarked about his predecessor, Senator Liyel Imoke, whom he said did all he could to install him as his successor in 2015.

“I acknowledge Senator Liyel Imoke who played a big role in my emergence as governor in 2015. That’s why I can’t hurt him and he too cannot hurt me.”