Former Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayde
Former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade, has said he foresaw Nigeria’s present political landscape long before it unfolded.
Speaking with journalists in Calabar on Saturday, Ayade explained that his early decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by foresight and strategic thinking.
“I am like the Godot who saw tomorrow. The crystal ball was clear — I anticipated a shift in Nigeria’s political dynamics,” the senator said.
Ayade, who represented Cross River North in the Senate between 2011 and 2015, noted that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC was intentional. According to him, the decision was guided by his belief that the ruling party would eventually shape the nation’s political future.
He explained that his much-discussed “socket to the centre” philosophy was designed to align Cross River with the federal government for greater developmental advantage.
Recalling his early support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ayade said he was one of the first to publicly endorse Tinubu during his presidential campaign.
“I said on national and international platforms that if Tinubu could fix Lagos, he could fix Nigeria,” he stated.
Ayade emphasized that he worked tirelessly for the APC during the elections, often prioritizing Tinubu’s campaign over his personal political ambitions.
Expressing satisfaction with how events unfolded, he added:
“I’m happy today that he is the president of this country.”
When asked if he felt adequately rewarded by the APC, Ayade said his loyalty remained unwavering despite the political hurdles he faced in Cross River.
“I carry the scars of the battle for my state’s sovereignty, but I believe President Tinubu understands and will surprise this country,” he concluded.
