Jubilation in APC as Court Declares Ayade Authentic Candidate for Cross River North
- The Governor of Cross River, Ben Ayade has been declared as the authentic senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Cross River North in the 2023 elections.
- Ayade, who emerged unopposed, was elected at a fresh primary election at the Ogoja LGA of the state, which followed the voluntary withdrawal of Martins Orim, who won the ticket at the May 28, primaries
- In a fresh ruling on Wednesday, the court dismissed a lawsuit filed by Cecilia Odey against the Governor
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A report by The Nation has it that Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Governor Ben Ayade as the All Progressives Congress(APC) senatorial candidate for Cross River North.
The Court presided by Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha dismissed a suit filed by Cecilia Odey against the Governor.
Source: Facebook
The court's ruling
Cecilia of the APC participated in the May 28th Cross River State Northern Senatorial District primaries of APC with a zero vote score to Martins Orim who won.
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She later filed a suit challenging the fresh primaries that the APC conducted on the 14th of July 2022 following the voluntary withdrawal of Martins Orim for Ayade in pursuant to S. 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022.
The court while dismissing the case of the plaintiff, stated that Cecilia’s claim was non-in-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, APC guidelines and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and can not be proven by any material fact.
Why Ayade was declared authentic APC candidate
It further declined to accept the argument that the fresh primaries were re-run elections and not by-elections.
The court also stated the requirement of giving notice as contemplated under the Electoral Act is not to notify the plaintiff (Cecilia)but INEC.
Efforts to get reactions from the plaintiff and its lawyer were unsuccessful to know its next line of action.
Ayade reacts
However, APC publicity secretary in Cross River Erasmus Ekpang noted that the victory of the governor was expected because he is a popular candidate that can win for the party.
His words:
“Cecilia has not been on ground and there was no way she would have emerged a candidate. What she would have done should be taking her defeat in good faith. We are happy with the judgement and its a victory for the APC.”
2023 Election: Court gives verdict on PDP case in powerful northern state
The Benue state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja that dismissed the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Tersoo Kulas, the director of communications of the APC campaign council in the state described the judgment on the case against APC as laudable.
The PDP had sought the disqualification of APC candidates from contesting in the general election, alleging some infractions in the conduct of the party's primary.
2023 Election: Wike, Ikpeazu enter fresh permutation with 2 powerful APC governors
Legit.ng earlier reported that the PDP crisis has taken a fresh path as governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state entered a closed-door meeting with 3 governors on Wednesday night.
The governors included a member of his camp, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state, and 2 from the ruling APC, Dave Umahi and Ben Ayade of Ebonyi and Cross Rivers state.
The details of the meeting were, however, not disclosed, but a source closer to the development said they entered into the closed-door meeting immediately after the governors arrived at Wike's country home in Port Harcourt.
Source: Legit.ng
