Buhari is a man of integrity, but politicians are funding militias to ruin Nigeria - Gov Ayade

Governor Ben Ayade has accused politicians of funding militias in order to destabilize Nigeria, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari is a trustworthy leader.

He said this after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and addressing questions from journalists.

“I jumped into the APC due to my personal friendship with Mr President,” he informed the journalists about his defection. I've observed him and found him to be honest and trustworthy, and I can see his desire and devotion to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In that regard, I have a leader in whom I have faith. In the third world, the opposition is allowing anything to happen that will make the other party appear bad.

“I am one of Nigeria's most powerful governors, having climbed above party and ethnic divides as a result of my education and exposure."

According to him, defecting to APC is a rude shock to the PDP.

“The reality is that PDP had the best outcome in Cross River - all elected posts, all chairmen of councils, all counselors, all National Assembly members except one, all chairmen of local governments, all commissioners, all appointees, they were all PDP before I defected.

“So, for such a governor who led PDP to such a victory, to defect to APC, definitely, it must come as a very, very rude shock,” he said.

The governor condemned the reported cases of attacks on public facilities by those he described as paid militia and bandits across the country.

He accused unpatriotic politicians of sponsoring attacks, kidnapping, and the killing of innocent citizens.

“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.

“The country is snowballing into 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.”