Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has promised to support former President Goodluck Jonathan if the ruling All Progressive Congress presents him as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.
Governor Ayade’s comment followed his meeting 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, the Cross River governor said that 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 Mr Buhari on how to align in the run-up to the 2023 poll, noting that he would do whatever the president directs.
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Governor Ayade said it does not seem right to tell an office holder that one is interested in taking over his office that was why he did not tell Mr Buhari that he wanted to join the presidential race.
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.
Recall that protesters stormed the private office of the former president in Abuja with a call to declare his interest to contest the presidential election in 2023..
This comes about 10 months before the general elections are to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC said the presidential election would take place on February 25, 2023, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The protesters comprising men, women, and youths believe the former President is the man for the job and want him to join the race to succeed President Buhari when he completes his second term in May 2020.
