Former Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, says he has stepped down from the 2027 senatorial race for Cross River North following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released Monday, Ayade revealed that a recent high-level meeting with the Presidency in Abuja made it clear that he was expected to abandon his ambition.
Though he agreed to comply, he expressed deep frustration over the decision.
“I yield to his request even as I pour tears of ill treatment and agony,” he said.
Ayade highlighted his longstanding role in strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region.
As the first APC governor in that zone, he said he helped establish the party’s presence in Cross River and delivered a significant electoral boost during the 2023 presidential election.
He also recalled his early backing of Tinubu’s presidential ambition, notably promoting the message: “If Tinubu Can Fix Lagos, Tinubu Can Fix Nigeria.”
Despite his loyalty, Ayade lamented that he has gone more than three years without a federal appointment.
He noted, however, that he continues to support the administration, including running a free transportation initiative tied to Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election campaign.
The former governor urged the President to reconsider the directive, arguing that his constituency has had limited representation compared to his main rival, who he claims has already spent two decades in the National Assembly.
