Contrary to widespread speculations in the media, immediate past governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade does not have any ambition to become president of the Nigerian senate, says his close associate, Dr Patrick Agbe.
Agbe told TNN in an interview that Ayade could not be nursing such an ambition when he has not even picked up any political party’s form to contest an election as senator.
In fact, Agbe said that even if Ayade were to contest and eventually win an election into the senate, the former governor would never even contemplate contesting to become president of the senate.
He said the decision of who occupies the position was usually made by senators, in partnership with the political party in power.
He said: I was shocked to read that Senator Ayade may Succeed Akpabio as senate president in 2027. My immediate question was ‘how’?
“How can anyone even think of something as weired and unimaginable as this? Senator Ayade is not a sitting senator right now.
“The next election is in 2027. We still have about two years before the general election. Ayade has not even told anybody that he is contesting for a seat in the senate.
“So where could this be coming from? For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Ayade is not having any senate presidential ambition, either now or in the future.
“Those behind this blackmail should try something else. Ayade is too mature for this kind of petty political theatrics. Take note, for the umpteenth time, Ayade is not contemplating to become senate president.”
Agbe, who once contested for the Cross River Northern Senatorial District election, wondered why people would be selling what he called a political dummy to the world on an issue that did not exist.
He urged the media and the political class to be careful in spectating about issues that had the tendency to cause friction in the country.
