Former Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, says his defection in 2021 from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was predicated on a clear foresight of Nigeria’s political future.
He said his defection was informed by his ability to predict the nation’s political trajectory, Ayade told journalists in Calabar, asserting that the move was strategic.
“The real truth was that I could see tomorrow. The crystal ball was clear,” the former governor stated explaining that as the nation appeared to be “gradually descending into the level of caution” it became imperative to align with the ruling party.
“I knew that the right thing for us to do at that point in time was actually to cross to the ruling party. And that’s why I came up with the principle of socketing to the center,” he explained.
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Ayade elaborated that achieving this socketing required careful planning and understanding to do a dialectical analysis of the situation with a proper surgery.
He added that following his defection, he was quick to endorse the President, Bola Tinubu, claiming that he was among the very first to announce his preference, justifying the choice based on the president’s past governance record.
Ayade expressed unwavering confidence in Tinubu, highlighting their long-standing relationship.
The ex governor was received by a mammoth crowd at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, led by the state Chairman of the APC, Alphonsus Eba.
