Former Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade
Former Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has stepped down from the 2027 race for the Cross River North Senatorial seat, citing a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ayade made the disclosure in an emotional statement released on Monday, revealing that his decision followed a recent high-level meeting with the Presidency in Abuja.
According to him, the outcome of the consultation made it clear that the President preferred he abandon his senatorial ambition.
“I yield to his request even as I pour tears of ill treatment and agony,” Ayade said.
In the statement, Ayade reflected on his political journey and contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in the South-South region.
He highlighted his role as the first APC governor in the region, noting that he laid the groundwork for the party’s growth in Cross River State.
Ayade also pointed to his performance during the 2023 presidential election, where he claimed to have delivered nearly 40,000 votes above the opposition’s tally in the state—an outcome he described as unprecedented.
The former governor further reminded Tinubu of his early and vocal support for his presidential ambition, including championing the now-popular slogan: “If Tinubu Can Fix Lagos, Tinubu Can Fix Nigeria.”
Despite his loyalty, Ayade lamented what he described as years of political neglect, stating that he has not received any federal appointment since leaving office.
He noted that he has remained committed to supporting the President, including running a free transportation initiative aimed at boosting Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election campaign.
Ayade urged the President to reconsider the directive, arguing that equity and fairness should guide political decisions in the senatorial district.
He maintained that his constituency has only had eight years of representation in the Senate, compared to what he described as 20 years by his main rival.
According to him, allowing the opponent another term would effectively extend that dominance to a fourth term in the National Assembly.
Ayade’s withdrawal, coming this early in the election cycle, may signal deeper political negotiations within the APC as the party begins to position itself for the 2027 general elections.
While he has complied with the President’s directive for now, his appeal for a review suggests the matter may not be entirely settled.
