As Senator Prof. Ben Ayade prepares to return to the Senate, one cannot help but look back with admiration to his first tenure — a remarkable four years when, as a first-term legislator, he reportedly raised more bills and motions than any newcomer. His legislative acumen was not only impressive but transformative, earning him attention and respect on the Senate floor. It was clear from his carriage and interactions with his colleagues that his education, intellect and deep understanding of the issues had prepared him for the rigours of national law-making.
Now, as we anticipate 2027, Cross Riverians look forward to a season of renewed impact. Ayade is a man who blends legislative skill with a genuine commitment to the people he serves — and that blend should define his next chapter in the Senate.
However, there is a new dimension to representation in Nigeria’s democracy — one that measures legislators not merely by motions and debates, but by the impact of their empowerment initiatives. With the steady increase in constituency project allocations, senators who are visionary, strategic, compassionate and people-oriented are redefining what it means to serve. This growing trend of legislative empowerment which now characterizes the senate might make newcomers to politics think that those who served in earlier eras did not perform! Some observers have specifically tried to compare the 10th Senate of political empowerment with the 7th of legislative milestones, but they overlook the critical shift of legislation in Nigeria from traditional law-making and oversight into one that actively drives grassroots development through constituency projects, projects that once were the exclusive preserve of the executive arm of government. During his term in the 7th Senate, Prof. Ben Ayade distinguished himself as a first-term lawmaker with one of the highest numbers of sponsored bills and his intellect and leadership on the Senate floor were unmistakable. Though his departure to serve as Governor was a loss to the legislature, his return promises to revive that same legislative vigour, now fortified with executive experience, his trademark generosity, his renewed passion for people-centered development driven and large-heartedness. The 11th Senate will not only continue the new culture of empowerment that our struggling economy requires but will gain fresh momentum.
In fact, the budget for constituency projects has become a critical component of the National Assembly’s appropriation, and many expect Ayade’s trademark energy to translate these allocations into visible impact across agriculture, education, healthcare, energy, and entrepreneurship. Once he regains his mandate, Ayade, the father of ‘food on the table’ will undoubtedly expand this culture of empowerment, being a leader deeply committed to reaching and uplifting his people.
Why am I so confident about his return? Because the 2027 election presents the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a moral and political opportunity to correct a long-standing imbalance in Cross River North Senatorial representation by properly zoning the seat. Since the return of democracy in 1999, the record is clear: Senator Musa Adede represented Cross River North from 1999 to 2003, and Senator Ben Ayade from 2011 to 2015 — the only two from the Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku (OBO) axis to have held the position.
In contrast, the Ogoja/Yala bloc has had extended control of the office: Senator Greg Ngaji (2003–2011), Senator Rose Okoji Oko (2015–2020), Senator Steve Odey (2020–2021), and Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (2021 to date). Even if we acknowledge Senator Kanu Agabi’s brief three-month stint, it changes little. The OBO bloc has enjoyed just 8 years of representation, while Ogoja/Yala will approach 24 years if they retain the seat in 2027. How fair is this? How brotherly? The only reasonable and equitable step is for the APC to micro-zone the position to the OBO constituency where Senator Ben Ayade stands as the most experienced and credible flag-bearer.
Now that his gubernatorial interlude is over, many in Cross River North believe it is time for him to return to the Red Chamber, where his brilliance once illuminated the Senate. His comeback will not only restore balance to representation in the district but also reignite the vibrancy that effective and compassionate law-making brings to the people.
Indeed, the 11th Senate beckons — and with Senator Prof. Ben Ayade on the floor, Cross River North can look forward to a new era of legislative excellence and empowerment-driven representation.
