By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Former Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, has abandoned his Senatorial ambition, allegedly, in deference to President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
He reportedly said it was with a heavy heart that he has stopped his supporters from going ahead with their plans to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms so as not to run foul of the Presidential order.
But despite the political set back, the former Governor has pledged to fully back not only the President, but also, all the candidates of the All Progressive Congress, APC, before and during the 2027 elections.
The Source reports that Ayade has been engaged in a heated disagreement with his successor, Governor Bassy Otu, and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, for being behind his political misfortune.
Specifically, he has accused the duo, Governor Otu and the Senate President of feeding the President with tissues of lies on the political temperature and landscape of the State.
In a statement on his official site on Monday, Ayade, who presided over the affairs of Cross River state between 2015 and 2023, lamented that he has been a victim of misinformation and misrepresentation allegedly dished out to President Tinubu.
According to him, the directive from the President for him to withdraw from the Senatorial race, may have been as a result of misinformation fed to him on the situation on ground.
He expressed serious regret and concern that he is being asked to step down for a green horn after working tirelessly for the victory of the APC in 2023.
“Mr President wants me to withdraw my Senate ambition. I yield to his request even as I pour tears of ill-treatment and agony.
“Mr President may not be aware that the beneficiaries of his order are people armed against us with guns and machetes in the collection centres.
“I worked assiduously for the party and delivered almost 40,000 votes above PDP in the presidential election, first in the history of our state.
“For over three years now, I have been sidelined without appointment.
“Now, yielding ticket to a newest entrant from opposition just under five months is a spiritual murder”, the former Governor lamented.
He, however, urged his supporters to remain calm and particularly respect Mr President’s directive.
“Let us tarry and honour Mr President even as we still appeal for the review of his order”, he added.
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