Don’t speak without clearance, Ayade warns commissioners, others

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has warned his special advisers and commissioners against making policy statements especially on social media.

The notice was passed across to the special advisers and commissioners by Ayade's media adviser, Christian Ita.

Sanctions for flouting the order has also been put in place as the notice warned them against appearing in public functions and granting TV, radio interviews.

“Appointees of the state government should not grant or make both radio and television interviews/appearances without getting clearance from the governor….

“No commissioner or political appointee is allowed to showcase or make policy pronouncements on social media without seeking clearance from His Excellency. Every commissioner is from now henceforth expected to prove himself or herself on the field rather than on the social media.

“On the dissemination of government information, I want to make it abundantly clear that there are just two persons designated for the discharge of this function. That is the Commissioner for Information and Orientation as well as the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita,” the statement read.