Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State cast his vote at ward 004, Kakum town hall, Ikpong, Obudu local Government area early this morning at the ongoing byelections for the Obudu State constituency and Cross River North Senatorial District.
Soon after, the Governor expressed optimism that his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will win the election even though two candidates: Dr Stephen Odey, former SUBEB chairman, and Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe who represents Yala/Ogoja federal constituency, are approved by different high courts to stand the election.
Ayade said his political structure guarantees success for the PDP.
APC are fielding a candidate, Barrister Joe AgI (SAN).
Speaking on the turnout of voters, he said: “I am very impressed and you can see that even though it is still early in the day the crowd is huge. This is a very massive polling unit. It is at the epicenter of our ward and it is very huge.”
He said for every election there must be a winner and a loser, advising that whoever wins the election must be magnanimous in victory.
Similarly, Ayade urged whoever will lose the election to accept the outcome in good faith.
According to him, “We should put our differences aside and move on. We are all from the larger Ogoja senatorial district. Whoever wins is from Ogoja and we will all stand by the person. Both the winner and looser must have an open mind and find a way to collaborate and work together. The world is a dynamic place. If you win today, tomorrow you may lose.”
While also casting his vote, Joe Agi, candidate of the APC appealed for peace and expression of brotherhood amongst the people of the northern district.
He said the election, judging from what he has seen at his polling unit, was free and fair, adding, “with what I am seeing here, if this is the situation across the entire senatorial district, then we will have a very free and fair election.”
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