PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS EX-GOVERNOR AYADE TO STEP DOWN FROM 2027 SENATE RACE. (PHOTO).

 President Tinubu Directs Ex-Governor Ayade to Step Down from 2027 Senate Race

PRESS STATEMENT – Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, CON

I was recently invited to Abuja for a high-level consultation with the Presidency, where I was advised by Mr. President to step down from the Senate race. Though this decision comes with deep pain and a sense of injustice, I have chosen to respect his directive.

I remain concerned that those who once opposed us—politically and otherwise—are now the beneficiaries of this decision. Despite my sacrifices and contributions to the growth of our party in Cross River State and the South-South, I have been asked to yield.

However, I believe strongly in destiny and God’s timing. Just as I once stepped aside in the past and later emerged stronger, I trust that this moment will also pass with purpose.

I urge my supporters to remain calm, patient, and loyal to the party. For now, no one should purchase nomination forms on my behalf in obedience to Mr. President’s directive, while we await a possible review.

Let us continue to support the APC and work together for victory at all levels.

Thank you for your unwavering support.

Long live Cross River State.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

FOR FURTHER EXPLANATION READ THIS BELOW:

Former Governor of Cross River Senator Prof. Ben Ayade, has yielded to a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withdraw his ambition for the Cross River North Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections.

In an emotional statement released on Monday, Ayade disclosed that he was recently invited to Abuja for a high-level national consultation with the Presidency. Following the meeting, it became evident that the President wanted him to shelve his senatorial bid.

“I yield to his request even as I pour tears of ill treatment and agony,” Ayade said.

Ayade Lists Contributions, Appeals for Review. The former governor, who served two terms as governor and was a senator before that, recounted his significant 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 South-South and played a foundational role in building the party’s structure in Cross River State. During the 2023 presidential election, he delivered nearly 40,000 votes above the PDP’s performance in the state a historic feat.

Ayade also reminded President Tinubu of his early support, stating that he was the first APC governor to push for Tinubu to be given the right of first refusal as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. He popularized the slogan: “If Tinubu Can Fix Lagos, Tinubu Can Fix Nigeria.”

Despite these efforts, Ayade said he has been sidelined for over three years without any federal appointment. He is, however, currently running a free transportation scheme as part of his campaign support for the President’s expected 2027 re-election bid.

He appealed to the President to revisit the order, arguing that his federal constituency has only enjoyed senatorial representation for eight years, while his main opponent has had 20 years. Granting the opponent another term, he said, would amount to a fourth term in the National Assembly.