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Ben Ayade, former Governor of Cross River State, has said that he had seen the fall of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2021, hence, he defected to tje All Progressives Congress (APC), aligning with the Federal Government and fought political battles to protect the sovereignty and strategic interests of the State. Ayade, who governed the Cross River State from 2015 to 2023, made the remarks in Calabar, the State Capital while addressing journalists shortly after arriving at Margaret Ekpo International Airport to attend the wedding ceremony of Governor Bassey Otu’s son. Reflecting on his decision to defect from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2021, the former governor said his action was not driven by personal ambition but by a deep concern for the State’s political and economic survival. “As a leader, I saw what was coming. The crystal ball was clear. Nigeria was moving in a direction where Cross River risked being isolated if we didn’t align with the center,” Ayade said. “So I made a conscious decision to lead the state into the APC, not because it was convenient, but because it was necessary. I knew the battle would be tough, and I carry the scars of that battle till today.” The former governor described his administration’s decision to “socket to the centre” as a move born out of foresight and patriotism. According to him, aligning with the federal government was the only way to safeguard the state’s interests and ensure its continued relevance in national politics. “Cross River is a state that has suffered marginalization and economic deprivation for years. I believed that aligning with the federal government would help us access more opportunities. That decision came with consequences, political opposition, betrayal, and misrepresentation, but I have no regrets,” he said. Ayade, who also represented Cross River North in the Senate before becoming governor, said his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the APC remains unwavering. “I was one of the first to openly endorse President Tinubu, even before the APC primaries. I said it then, if Tinubu could fix Lagos, he could fix Nigeria. I believed in his capacity, and I still do,” he said. “President Tinubu knows me well; our relationship predates his presidency. He understands my intentions, and I believe he will surprise this country with his leadership.” Ayade’s remarks, which came in a calm but reflective tone, appeared to convey both a sense of pride and pain, pride in his political foresight, and pain from the challenges he faced while trying to reposition Cross River politically and his subsequent loss of his second attempt to the senate during the 2023 general election. Political analysts interpret his comments as a subtle reminder of his contributions to strengthening the APC’s hold in the South-South and a sign that the former governor still holds significant political capital in the region. Addressing the Mammoth crowd that trooped out to receive him at the airport, the ex-governor, popularly known as the digital governor of Cross River State, said he was in the state not for political reasons but to attend the wedding of the governor’s son. Ayade, describing the Governor as the leader of the party in the state, added that in due time, he will surely visit the state for politics.
