Tinubu Directs Ayade to Withdraw Senate Ambition for 2027

Ben Ayade, the former governor of Cross River State, has been instructed by President Bola Tinubu to withdraw his candidacy for the Senate seat representing Cross River North in the 2027 general elections. This directive followed a high-level consultation meeting in Abuja, where Ayade was summoned.

He described the experience as significant and expressed his distress over the treatment he received, stating that he has been sidelined for three years without federal appointments. Ayade emphasized his contributions to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region, noting that he was the first APC governor in the area and delivered nearly 40,000 votes against the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential elections.

Despite his appeal for reconsideration based on constitutional provisions for an eight-year Senate representation, he acknowledged the president's request to yield his ambition.