Former Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, has agreed to step down from his ambition to contest for the Cross River North Senate seat in the 2027 general elections, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Monday, Ayade revealed that he was recently summoned to Abuja for a high-level consultation with the Presidency, where the instruction to withdraw from the race was given.
He said although he has complied with the President’s request, the decision has left him deeply hurt. Ayade added that he felt compelled to honour the directive despite expressing disappointment over what he described as unfair treatment.
The former governor also pointed to his contributions to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region. He noted that he was the first APC governor in the zone and played a key role in strengthening the party’s presence. According to him, he delivered nearly 40,000 more votes than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
Ayade further claimed that individuals who had opposed him and the APC—particularly over the Muslim-Muslim ticket controversy—are now benefiting from the President’s directive. He expressed concern that his efforts and loyalty to the party have not been adequately recognized.
He also lamented that, despite his contributions, he has not received any federal appointment in over three years.
Nevertheless, Ayade said he remains committed to supporting the President, noting that he is currently funding a free transportation initiative aimed at boosting Tinubu’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former governor, however, appealed to the President to reconsider the decision, arguing that his constituency has only had eight years of senatorial representation, compared to his main rival who has spent about two decades in the Senate.