The Governor of Cross River State, HE Prof Senator Ben Ayade has been out of the State and the country for over a month now. His supporters and media aides say he is out there doing the state’s business, while members of the opposition will tell you that he is taking a medically recommended vacation.

I hold that this industrious speculation is fertilized by the vacuum in communication created by the Governor and his media handlers. Assuming without yet conceding that the Governor is out of the country doing the bidding of the State, why is it that Cross Riverians don’t know exactly where the Governor is? Why are we not being told what business he is up to for our good? What good exactly? Who did he travel with? And when will he be back?

In the light that answers to these questions are not readily available or satisfactorily accepted can Ayade remain our Governor constitutionally? Or can he govern Cross River State from nowhere and everywhere? Let’s consult our almighty Constitution for answers.

Sections 190 subsections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that: (1) “Whenever the Governor is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the House of Assembly to that effect, and until transmit to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration to the contrary, the Deputy Governor shall perform the functions of the Governor as acting Governor.