Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has pledged to support former President Goodluck Jonathan should the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) present him as the party’s candidate for the 2023 general election.
His assertion came after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where he announced that he had secured the president’s nod to hold consultations over his own presidential ambition.
Responding to questions from correspondents, Ayade said he has respect for the former president, noting that if it is the decision of the APC to field him as its candidate, he would support him.
According to him, he was at the Presidential Villa to seek direction from Buhari on how to align in the run-up to the 2023 poll, noting that he would do whatever the president directs.
The Cross River governor pointed out that he did not tell President Buhari that he wanted to join the presidential race as he observed that it was not decent to tell an officeholder that one was interested in taking over his office.
However, he said the president expressed delight that he did not speak of his desire to succeed him in office but gave him the go-ahead to hold consultations on the matter while he (Buhari) watches him.
Ayade went on to spell out his programme of action for the country if he becomes the president next year.
More details to come later.
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2023: I’ll support Jonathan if APC presents him as flagbearer ― Ayade
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