By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
A one time Governor of Cross River, Senator Ben Ayade may miss the leadership forum screening organised by the State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC slated for today, in Ogoja for National Assembly aspirants over a visit to Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu.
Mr. Ayade has indicated interest in returning to the National Assembly as the Senator representing Cross River North district, a position he held in the 7th Assembly between 2011 and 2015.
But, a statement issued by Linus Obogo, the spokesman to the incumbent Governor, Senator Bassey Otu shows Mr. Ayade may miss the vital screening exercise which seeks to build consensus ahead of the primaries due to conditions laid out by the Electoral Act.
“The Presidency hereby formally announces that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is scheduled to receive the immediate past Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade, in Abuja tomorrow for a high-level political engagement and consultation of significant national and strategic importance,” reads the statement issued on Wednesday evening.
“In furtherance of this directive, Professor Ben Ayade is hereby requested to report to the Presidency at the earliest possible time on Thursday (today) for this scheduled audience with Mr. President,” the statement added.
Mr. Ayade is yet to comment on the recent development while sources say the visit is connected to his bid to unseat incumbent and third term federal legislator, Senator Jarigbe Agom, whom he lost to at the 2023 polls.
Mr. Jarigbe had since picked the nomination and Expression of Interest forms at the APC national secretariat and is slated to appear before the leadership forum, Thursday afternoon.
It is unclear whether Senator Ayade will make it to Ogoja after visiting President Tinubu, especially as his co-aspirant, Senator Jarigbe will appear before the forum by noon today.
Short Link:
Leave feedback about this