Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has said he dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because he is enamoured by President Muhammadu Buhari achievements.
In addition, he says he desires to bring his state into the mainstream Nigerian politics.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has wished him well in his newfound romance with the ruling party.
Ayade’s words: “Having seen and known the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his commitment to this country, his nationalistic disposition and all the efforts he has made to bring Nigeria to where we are today, it is obvious that at this point we need to join hands with him to build a Nigeria that we can be proud of.
“We need all Governors to recognize that it is not party that matters. It is character, it is honor, it is commitment to the vision of this great nation.
“We all need to as a team work ahead of the president by working towards building a prosperous country that the succession worries of 2023 will come without the fears and the worries the international community has for us.
“I believe that if everyone of us as Governor joins hands with Mr President, I think we can sit on the same dining table and fashion out a way to govern this country.
“Today, I am officially announcing my defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
Mai Mala Buni, APC’s interim chairman and governor of Yobe State, joined seven other Governors on the platform of the ruling to welcome Ayade.
“I am here on behalf of the APC family to welcome His Excellency the Executive Governor of Cross River State formally to the APC. As from today he is the leader of the party in the state.”
With him were Governors Solomon Lalong of Plateau State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu Kebbi), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), and, Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State), .
In the gale that followed, the leadership of the Cross River State House of Assembly moved to join Ayade in the APC.
Ayade had ordered all leaders and appointees who were with him in the PDP to go back to their wards for registration as members of APC.
In its terse reaction to Ayade’s departure, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement acknowledged his revamping, but calls on all critical stakeholders and teeming members of the party in Cross Rivers State “to immediately pull together and ensure that all structure of our party in the state remain intact.”
