A Political Journey Marked by Sacrifice and Strategy
Former Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, has shared a candid account of his political journey, highlighting the sacrifices and struggles he endured. He described his path as one marked by “the scars of the battle for the sovereignty of the state.” These scars, he emphasized, have not fully healed, reflecting the ongoing challenges he faced during his tenure.
Ayade’s decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by a deep understanding of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. He believed that the interference with normal party democracy and the direction of the country required a strategic shift. “It was clear to me that we had to cross to the ruling party,” he stated, underscoring the necessity of aligning with the APC to ensure the state’s political and economic progress.
Having been away from the state since the end of his administration, Ayade’s return was met with a grand reception at the airport, where enthusiastic APC supporters gathered to welcome him. His decision to “socket to the center” was framed as a calculated move to ensure that Cross River State remained relevant in the political arena. “I saw tomorrow. The crystal ball was clear. I knew the right thing to do at that point was to align with the center,” he explained.
Ayade also recalled being among the first political leaders to publicly endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the APC’s presidential candidate. He praised Tinubu’s governance record, stating, “I said clearly on national and international platforms, including the BBC, that if Tinubu could fix Lagos, Tinubu could fix Nigeria.” This endorsement highlighted his belief in Tinubu’s leadership capabilities.
The former governor expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership, noting their long-standing relationship. “President Tinubu is quite smart and knows Ayade very well. He knows my worth, and I believe he will surprise this country,” he added. Ayade reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the APC in Cross River, emphasizing that his political scars symbolize loyalty and resilience in defending his state’s sovereignty.
Criticism and Calls for Accountability
Despite the warm reception, Ayade’s return has sparked criticism from a coalition of civil society organizations in Cross River State. They have called for a thorough investigation into his administration before any public celebration. In a statement signed by Coordinator Agaba Vincent, Secretary Odey Odey, and spokesperson Raymond Agabi, the Coalition of Civic Societies on Accountability and Good Governance described the reception as a “political whitewashing of failure” and an insult to citizens affected by numerous abandoned projects.
The coalition cited several uncompleted projects from Ayade’s administration, including the Superhighway, Bakassi Deep Seaport, Calapharm, and Obudu Cargo Airport, as evidence of mismanagement. They urged anti-corruption agencies and the State House of Assembly to investigate the funding and execution of these projects.
They stressed that accountability must precede honor, warning that celebrating Ayade without a probe would undermine Governor Bassey Otu’s credibility and erode public trust in governance.
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