By Andy Esiet, Calabar
The people of Cross River North Senatorial district on Sunday, February 27, went into jubilation galore as the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency by-election .
At street corners of Ogoja, Mbube, Yala and others large number of APC supporters in a Clement weather gathered in large number chanting victory songs, flying the party flag in merriment. Party faithful in Ishibori and Ekpogrinya carried party flags and broom celebrating and drinking on the streets and the Ogoja – Ikom highway chanting “APC, Ayade is working, Ayade is the master…”
Candidate of the APC for the Ogoja /Yala Federal Constituency, Mr. Jude Ngaji emerged winner with 22,778 votes over the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Mike Usibe who scored 20,590.
For Akpabuyo State Constituency, the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party Ekeng Effiom Edet won with 5866 over the APC candidate who scored 5363
Announcing the result for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, the returning officer, Dr. Edor John Edor said total number of registered voters in the federal constituency is 193,618 out of which 45,877 was accredited. The total vote cast is 45,356 out of which 43828 were valid and 1528 were rejected.
However at St Bernard’s Convent Primary School along Mission Road, a friction occurred at about 7pm between supporters of PDP and APC long after the voting and counting processes were concluded. In the process two motorcycles were burnt by unknown persons and dumped by the side of the road.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has congratulated Ngaji for his victory saying, “I congratulate, Jude Ogbeche Ngaji, candidate of the APC, winner of the just concluded Ogoja/Yala Federal House of Representatives By-Election. It is indeed a great victory for our great party, the APC.
