Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade has indicated interest to join the presidential race in 2023 under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ben Ayade To Join Presidential Race
During an interview on Channels TV on Wednesday, the governor who described himself as a loyalist and conformist said he will contest for the presidency if the APC finds him “fit and proper”.
Ayade, however, said the party should make the decision based on zoning, noting that he would comply with whatever decision taken by the APC on choosing a candidate for the election.
When asked whether he won’t mind being considered as the presidential candidate of his party, the governor said, “I think the party should take a decision based on zoning principles which would be resolved as a party.”
When further questioned whether he would be throwing his hat in the ring, Ayade said, “Let me say, yes and no; if the (APC) family finds that I am fit and proper, yes.
“If the family finds that there is a better option and that option fits into the zoning (arrangement), of course, I will stand by the party position. I am a conformist; I stand with the system. I have never been an aberrant, I work with the system.”
Speaking on the state of affairs in the country, the governor said President Muhammadu Buhari has improved the economy and security of the nation.
Ayade said, “Perhaps, if it was not Buhari’s administration with his military background, the country would have collapsed at this stage.”
“People don’t know that because if you have been able to avoid risk, nobody can see it because it was avoided. I think the situation could have been worse.”
KanyiDaily recalls that President Buhari had said that his administration has done its best and will continue to do more by pursuing coherent and consistent policies to deal with terrorism.