Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has promised to support former President Goodluck Jonathan if the ruling All Progressive Congress presents him as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

Mr Ayade’s comment followed his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he announced that he had secured the president’s nod to hold consultations over his own presidential ambition.

Responding to questions from correspondents, Mr Ayade said he has respect for the former president, noting that if it is the decision of the APC to field him as its candidate, he would support him.

According to him, he was at the Presidential Villa to seek direction from Mr Buhari on how to align in the run-up to the 2023 poll, noting that he would do whatever the president directs.

Mr Ayade said he doesn’t seem decent to him to tell an office holder that one is interested in taking over his office that was why he did not tell Mr Buhari that he wanted to join the presidential race.

However, he said the president expressed delight that he did not speak of his desire to succeed him in office but gave him the go-ahead to hold consultations on the matter while he (Buhari) watches him.