Former governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, has lamented that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has not handled him pretty regardless of being the primary governor from the South-South to guide his state into the ruling celebration.
Ayade, who spoke in a media interview, mentioned he sacrificed closely to align Cross River with the APC at a time when it was politically dangerous to take action, stressing that he bears “scars” from that battle which have but to heal.
“I’m carrying the scars of the battle for the sovereignty of the state,” he mentioned. “That scar has not healed. However I do know President Bola Tinubu understands this very nicely. He is aware of Ayade very nicely.”
He mentioned his relationship with President Tinubu predates the latter’s presidency, describing him as “a wise chief” who is aware of the worth of loyalty and can “shock the nation positively.”
Ayade defined that his resolution to defect from the Peoples Democratic Get together (PDP) to the APC in 2021 was guided by foresight and political evaluation. “I may see tomorrow,” he declared. “It was clear that Nigeria was heading in the direction of a part the place the opposition would have little area. The crystal ball was clear.”
In response to him, the choice to “socket to the middle” was not impulsive however a strategic transfer to place Cross River for relevance and federal consideration. “It required a dialectical evaluation of the state of affairs,” he mentioned. “I knew what to do to attach correctly to the middle.”
The previous governor recalled that upon becoming a member of the APC, he was the primary to publicly endorse Senator Bola Tinubu as presidential candidate, lengthy earlier than the celebration’s primaries. “I did that brazenly, even on worldwide platforms just like the BBC,” he mentioned. “I mentioned if Tinubu may repair Lagos, he may repair Nigeria.”
Ayade mentioned he devoted his time and power to Tinubu’s marketing campaign throughout the 2023 common elections, usually sidelining his personal political pursuits. “Generally I even forgot that I had my very own election,” he admitted. “I used to be simply speaking about Bola Tinubu in every single place.”
Regardless of his loyalty, Ayade expressed disappointment that his contributions to the celebration and its success within the South-South haven’t been adequately acknowledged. “The APC has not handled me pretty,” he mentioned. “However I stay hopeful that justice will come, and President Tinubu will acknowledge those that stood with him when it mattered.”
He concluded by reaffirming his religion within the president’s capability to guide the nation. “I imagine, despite all of the tales, President Tinubu will shock this nation,” Ayade acknowledged. “He is aware of those that stood by him, and he’ll act properly.”
