Governor Ben Ayade Loses Cross River APC Senatorial Ticket

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State on Saturday lost his bid to move to the Senate after the end of his two-term.

Naija News reports that Ayade’s tenure would expire on May 29, 2023.

Ayade who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2021 and took part in the ruling party’s Senate primary in Calabar.

Ayade who scored 52 votes lost the election to Adams Cecelia who polled 140, while Martin Orim got 61 votes.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District and chief whip of the 9th Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, won the ticket senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress.

Kalu gathered 777 votes to emerge unopposed after Barr Fabian Nwankwo stepped down from the race.

Chief Paul Onwuka, returning officer for the senatorial primary election declared him a winner in Ebem Ohafia the venue of the election on Saturday.

Kalu in his acceptance speech dedicated his victory to the people of the district and promised to attract more projects to the district.