Top South South Politician Forced to Drop Senate Bid After Presidential Directive

Former Cross River governor, Ben Ayade, has expressed disappointment over an alleged directive from President Bola Tinubu asking him to step down from his bid for the Cross River North Senate seat, though he says he will comply out of loyalty.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page following a high-level meeting in Abuja, Ayade said the president requested that he suspend his Senate ambition.

According to Daily Sun, while agreeing to the directive, he described the experience as painful and unjust.

Ayade criticized the decision, noting that those who stand to benefit are individuals he considers past political adversaries.

He accused them of previously fueling religious tensions during the 2023 elections and alleged that they engaged in acts of intimidation at collation centres.

He added that he has documented evidence, including police records, to support claims of election-day violence.

Highlighting his contributions to the All Progressives Congress, Ayade said he played a key role in establishing the party’s presence in the South-South, becoming its first governor in the region.

He also pointed to his support for Tinubu’s presidential bid, including mobilizing votes in Cross River and providing logistical and financial backing to the party.

Despite his grievances, Ayade urged his supporters to respect the president’s directive and refrain from pursuing the Senate ticket on his behalf.

He reflected on similar moments in his political career when he stepped aside in earlier contests but later returned to win elections as both senator and governor.

Reaffirming his commitment to the party, Ayade pledged to support all APC candidates if the directive stands and to continue working with President Tinubu and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu to strengthen the party’s position in the state.

He encouraged his supporters to remain calm and hopeful, expressing confidence that time would address the situation.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation of the reported directive from the presidency or the leadership of the APC.

Before the development, Ayade had been expected to contest the party’s Senate primaries against incumbent lawmaker Jarigbe Agom.