After a failed presidential bid, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has emerged the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Cross River North ahead of the 2023 general election.

Ayade polled 252 votes out of the 255 total votes cast at the senatorial primaries held in the state on Thursday. Three votes were invalidated.

The governor, who had vied for the presidential ticket of the APC, had earlier denied participating in the party’s Cross River North senatorial primaries held in May 2022.

He was reported to have come third in the primaries with 52 votes as he was defeated by Adams Cecelia, who scored 140 votes, while the other aspirant, Martin Orim, garnered 61 votes.

The Star, on May 12, reported that Ayade, a two-term governor of Cross River State, obtained the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the senatorial seat.

The governor had earlier obtained the N100 million APC presidential nomination forms to vie for the presidential ticket of the ruling party.

Ayade, who emerged unopposed, was elected at a fresh primary election at the Ogoja Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Thursday.

The election followed the voluntary withdrawal of the governor’s former Chief of Staff, Mr. Martins Orim, who won the ticket at the May 28 primaries.

Mrs. Sameera Tabo, Chairperson of the APC Primary Election Committee for Cross River North declared the governor winner.

According to Tabo, following Orim’s withdrawal, the fresh primary election was to ensure that the party fielded a candidate for Cross River North under the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Gunmen attack INEC officials during voter registration in Enugu

In his acceptance speech, Ayade expressed gratitude to the delegates for electing him.

He said that after running for the office of the president of Nigeria, he returned home and then came under pressure from his people to contest for Senate.

“They said I did very well when I was a Senator from 2011 to 2015 and insisted I go back. Today I have answered their call.

“Of course, they recognised that this country requires a legislator that has both executive and legislative experience.

“I am very experienced, I know the challenges of our people and possess the essential elements that will help us make the appropriate laws and legislation that will change the narrative of our people,” he said.

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

The Star