“Agony and Tears” — Ayade Withdraws After Tinubu’s Call
Former Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, has withdrawn his ambition to contest the Cross River North Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections, citing a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released on Monday, the former governor disclosed that he was recently invited to Abuja for what he described as a high-level consultation with the Presidency, during which it became clear that the President preferred he step aside from the senatorial race.
“I yield to his request even as I pour tears of ill treatment and agony,” Ayade said, expressing deep emotion over the development.
Ayade, who served two terms as governor after representing Cross River North in the Senate, used the opportunity to highlight his contributions to the growth of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region.
He recalled that he emerged as the first APC governor in the South-South and played a pivotal role in establishing the party’s structure in Cross River State.
According to him, his efforts were instrumental during the 2023 presidential election, where he delivered nearly 40,000 votes above the performance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The former governor also reminded President Tinubu of his early support for his presidential ambition, noting that he was among the first APC governors to advocate that Tinubu be given the right of first refusal as the party’s 2023 candidate.
He also popularised the campaign slogan, “If Tinubu Can Fix Lagos, Tinubu Can Fix Nigeria.”
Despite these contributions, Ayade lamented that he has remained without a federal appointment for over three years.
He, however, disclosed that he is currently running a free transportation scheme in support of the President’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027, while appealing for reconsideration of his political standing.
