Ayade To PDP: I’m A Bona Fide APC Member

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has refuted claims that he has denied his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a purported affidavit he filed against a case instituted against him and members of the state legislature, who defected with him from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

PDP is in court to challenge the governor’s defection with 18 members of the House of Assembly.

A few days after a Federal High Court in Abuja delivered judgment in a similar case and ordered the removal of Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi and 17 legislators from office, the social media space in Cross River has been awash with claims and allegations that following alleged fear of receiving the same judgment, Ayade has denied his APC membership.

Prof. Ayade on Saturday evening took to his verified Facebook page and responded: “Take note, I am a bona fide and registered member of the APC. Stop the cheap propaganda aimed at wooing APC members to PDP.”

It seemed the alleged propaganda had worked before the governor’s counter message, as five councillors in Obanliku Local Government had reportedly returned to the PDP in the presence of a chieftain of the party, Senator Gershom Bassey, who visited the area in furtherance of his governorship aspiration to secure his party’s ticket and succeed Ayade.