Despite initial denials, according to newsmen, Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade actually contested and lost the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senate Primaries for Cross River North Senatorial District.
The APC had released the lists of candidates contesting for senate in the senatorial district, with the governor’s name boldly written, an indication that he bought the APC nomination form, despite also buying the presidential form.
Prof. Ayade denied buying the form himself in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita.
Ayade said while his attention has been drawn to the purported purchase of senatorial nomination form in his name, those behind it did so without his knowledge or authorization, describing it as a distraction.
Ita had quoted the governor as saying, “I make bold to say, and also reassure millions of my supporters across the country that I am in the presidential race to win and will pursue this ambition to its logical conclusion.
“I am currently engrossed in octane consultations with critical party stakeholders on how to clinch the presidential ticket of my great party, the APC and have nothing to do with a purported Senate form bearing my name.
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It has been reported that during the APC primaries conducted today, May 28, the governor lost to Barr. Cecilia Adams who scored 140 vote.
Governor Ayade scored 52 votes to come third while his Chief of Staff, Hon. Martins Orim scored 61 votes to come second.
Meanwhile, Chief Martins Orim, former Chief of Staff to Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross River State, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cross River North Senatorial District primary election.
The primary was concluded one hour ago at Liyel Imoke Pavilion in Ogo.
Orim defeated Barrister Cecilia Adams, who was absent, to win the ticket. She got zero votes while Orim had 25.
Chairman of the electoral panel, Wahab Yunusa confirmed that there were 255 accredited votes with one voided.
It is understood the co-contender, Adams, who was allegedly declared the winner by a parallel panel, has insisted that she is the winner
She was said to have got 53 votes, beating Orim and incumbent governor, Ben Ayade, who was reportedly a Co-contender
Addressing the jubilant crowd, Orim expressed gratitude to God and affirmed that, “I am the authentic winner as declared by officials from INEC and APC headquarters. Forget the parallel thing concocted by PDP.
“But let this message get to my opponent in PDP, Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe that I will beat him clearly in the field in next year’s election. They won’t steal this mandate again like they did few months ago.”
