By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Cross River state Governor Ben Ayade said the country is snowballing into a civil strife even as he posited there is urgent need for Nigerians to come together to support President Muhammadu Buhari to overcome the challenges confronting the country.
He also said that he moved into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of his personal relationship with President Buhari.
Ayade who dumped his former political party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for APC recently told State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Buhari at Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, revealed he had watched the President and has find honesty, integrity and also saw his wish and commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Said he: “I moved into the APC because of my personal relationship with Mr. President. I have watched him and I find honesty, integrity and I see his wish and commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To that extent, I have a leader that I trust.
“Opposition in the third world let everything happen that will made the other party look bad. The increasing insecurity in Nigeria as Nigeria suffers attacks from extraneous aggressors, paid militia and bandits, the opposition party only celebrates that because they believe it gives them a chance to win in 2023.
“So, opposition becomes very cannibalistic; so you rejoice over the bloodbath in your country. You rejoice over the level of insurgency and killings in your country just because you are playing opposition”, Ayade alleged.
According to him: “the country is snowballing into a civil strife. We need to come together and support Mr. President to overcome the insurgency which is characterized by external militias who are paid for the purpose.
“As you know, what this international community does for Africa, once they see that large deposit of natural resources, they will be glad to seek such country go to war. On one side they’re funding enemies of state; on the other hand they’re funding secessionists so that they can be in the business of guns.
“So Nigeria as a leading country in Africa, for me to play opposition and support the conflagration of my country, I think I will be doing injustice to all that I represent. I think moving to the centre and supporting the President to reduce the tension and the test to the national unity that we have.
“That’s why globally back is no longer seen as a colour but an attitude of greed that we only think from the stomach. What do you stand to gain of police stations are attacked, a lot of people are killed, people are kidnapped and you heaped up it on the ruling party because of what I’m likely to gain.
“That is what you want to depart from. So why don’t we join hands? Besides, we all seek access to power to bring value for change, to prosperity agenda for Nigeria. The ruling party says my doors are open. So why do you want to use the guns, why do you want to use the bullets when a handshake can do it?. Why not sit on a negotiation table on how to move Nigeria forward”, Ayade queried.
The Governor insisted that: “APC is providing that platform to say we are open to receive as many and discuss how the we make Nigeria better; how can we make it the pride of the black man.
“The level of the attacks, the level of criticisms, the social tension, I have to dissociate myself from it, so that’s why I call on other governors, to please do all, they can, let’s move to the Centre after all China is running more like a one party system; most countries that have done well like the UAE is a monarchy.
“So who says that all the gladiators can’t come together and agree on a way forward. APC has provided a platform with a listening President. So I call on all my colleagues, enough of these clashes”, Ayade concluded.
