By Gabriel Atumeyi
The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has felicitated with his Cross Rivers counterpart, Ben Ayade, on his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
365Daily earlier reported that Ayade on Thursday, May 20, 2021, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ayade announced his decision in a meeting with six APC governors who visited him at the Government House.
The governors were led by the Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni. Others iinclude Governors of Kebbi, Imo, Plateau, Jigawa, and Ekiti states.
In a statement by Mr Fayemi, he said Ayade’s joining the APC would strengthen unity, making it a veritable force to deliver the mandate of the party to Nigerians.
“It is my pleasure to welcome my brother and colleague H.E. Prof. Sen. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross Rivers State, to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Welcome to the progressive fold; I look forward to your input in strengthening our great party as we work to improve the lives of all Nigerians.”
In the same vein, the deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has lauded the decision by Prof Ben Ayade to join the APC saying the All Progressives Congress is a liberation from the forces of retrogression.
Omo-Agege who is also the leader of APC in the South-South geo-political zone, applauded Governor Ayade for seeing the need to improve his people’s fortunes and further help cement national unity by bringing Cross River State into APC.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, he said it was upbeat that with the defection the South-South region is poised to take its rightful place in the nation’s politics.
“It is remarkable that Governor Ayade, our party’s new leader in Cross River State had been confronting numerous needless retrogressive intrigues from his former party base, but while receiving him with open arms in APC, we unequivocally recognise him as the state party leader.
“The essence of this is to enable him focus on the task of accelerating further people-focussed development in his state by sharing the progressive vision of APC and that of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Governor Ayade has wasted no time in declaring that he is joining our party so as to bring back Cross River to the centre in order to enhance her fortunes.
“Light and great vision are never hidden under a bushel. We appreciate all those who have commended Governor Ayade for this timely and courageous move, even as we expect such further declarations in due course.
“Beyond the mere issue of politics, there is much more that all of us, as citizens, can do towards working with President Buhari to enhance the future and unity of Nigeria.