Ayade loses senatorial bid, a minus for APC in Cross River
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Cross River Governor Ben Ayade has lost his bid to return to the Senate having been defeated by Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the incumbent Senator in Cross River North.
Ayade was re-elected Governor in May 2019 on the platform of the PDP but defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2021.
He was in the Senate between 2011 and 2015. Last Saturday, he won 56,595 votes against 76,145 for Agom-Jarigbe.
Returning Officer Emmanuel Emanghe announced the result around 3:05am on Monday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reported by Tribune.
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Declaration Form not issued
Agom-Jarigbe, a two-time member of the House of Representatives, was elected to the Senate in a bye-election in September 2021 following the death of Rose Okoh.
Ayade, who is serving out his second term as Governor, sought to replace him but failed.
However, Agom-Jarigbe could not be issued with the Declaration Form after his declaration by the Returning Officer.
State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Gabriel Yomere said “the form was mistakenly taken to Obudu but he can be issued with a temporary one pending when the original one will be brought.”
Another PDP member, Godwin Offiono, was elected to the House of Representatives in the Ogoji/Yala Federal Constituency.
He defeated incumbent Jude Ngaji of the APC by 36,651 votes to 32,973.
The result was announced by Wakasor Ofem.
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