Ayade, who spoke in a media interview, said he sacrificed
heavily to align Cross River with the APC at a time when it was politically
risky to do so, stressing that he bears “scars” from that battle which have yet
to heal.

“I am carrying the scars of the battle for the sovereignty
of the state,” he said. “That scar has not healed. But I know President Bola
Tinubu understands this very well. He knows Ayade very well.”

He said his relationship with President Tinubu predates the
latter’s presidency, describing him as “a smart leader” who knows the value of
loyalty and will “surprise the country positively.”

Ayade explained that his decision to defect from the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in 2021 was guided by foresight and political
analysis. “I could see tomorrow,” he declared. “It was clear that Nigeria was
heading towards a phase where the opposition would have little space. The
crystal ball was clear.”

According to him, the decision to “socket to the center” was
not impulsive but a strategic move to position Cross River for relevance and
federal attention. “It required a dialectical analysis of the situation,” he
said. “I knew what to do to connect properly to the center.”

The former governor recalled that upon joining the APC, he
was the first to publicly endorse Senator Bola Tinubu as presidential
candidate, long before the party’s primaries. “I did that openly, even on
international platforms like the BBC,” he said. “I said if Tinubu could fix
Lagos, he could fix Nigeria.”

Ayade said he devoted his time and energy to Tinubu’s
campaign during the 2023 general elections, often sidelining his own political
interests. “Sometimes I even forgot that I had my own election,” he admitted.
“I was just talking about Bola Tinubu everywhere.”

Despite his loyalty, Ayade expressed disappointment that his
contributions to the party and its success in the South-South have not been
adequately acknowledged. “The APC has not treated me fairly,” he said. “But I
remain hopeful that justice will come, and President Tinubu will recognize
those who stood with him when it mattered.”

He concluded by reaffirming his faith in the president’s
capacity to lead the country. “I believe, in spite of all the stories,
President Tinubu will surprise this nation,” Ayade stated. “He knows those who
stood by him, and he will act wisely.”