Cross-River State governor Ben Ayade has officially declared his decision to join the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC), after several controversy trailing the said defection.

Governor Ayade formally disclosed his departure from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, while hosting six APC governors who paid him a visit in Calabar, the State capital.

The visiting governors are Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Simon Lalung of Plateau, Badaura Abubakar of Jigawa and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti.

Although, the reason for his defection – leaving the party that brought him to power in 2015 – but he had earlier complained about being treated “poorly” by PDP.

Ayade’s defection followed six months after Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi left PDP for APC.

Mr Ayade has become the only APC governor from South-South geopolitical zone.

Presently, the APC now have the highest number of governors, 21, while PDP has 14 governors and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), has one.

This has created tension among the executive council of the State. According to DAILY POST, some political appointees on anonymity expressed disappointment. They least expected the governor to have defected

Ijeoma Njoku reporting Obinwannem News | May 20, 2021