Ayade wins APC C’River North Senate ticket

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Cross River North for the 2023 National Assembly ballot.

Ayade, who emerged unopposed, was elected in a new Ogoja State Council primary yesterday. The election followed the voluntary withdrawal of Mr. Martins Orim, who won the ticket in the May 28 primaries.

Ms. Sameera Tabo, Chair of the APC Primary Elections Committee for Cross River North, declared the governor the winner with 252 votes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the total votes cast were 255, while three votes were invalidated. Tabo said that after Orim's withdrawal, the primary re-election was to ensure that the party fielded a candidate for Cross River North under the provisions of the Elections Act.

In his acceptance speech, Ayade expressed his gratitude to the delegates for electing him. He said that after running for President, he returned home and then came under pressure from his people to run for the Senate.

“They said I did very well when I was a senator from 2011 to 2015 and insisted that I come back; today I answered their call,” he said .

"Of course, they recognized that this country needs a legislator who has both executive and legislative experience.

“I am very experienced, I know the challenges of our people and I have the essentials that will help us craft the right laws and legislations that will change the narrative of our people,” he said.

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The governor said he was well equipped for the Senate and would bring his wealth of experience to the upper legislative chamber, if elected