The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained that Senator Ben Ayade the incumbent governor of Cross River State and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the last governorship election was declared winner because he scored the highest number of valid votes in all 18 local government areas of the state and was returned elected.
Ayade, who won in all the 18 local government areas of the state, won the election with a winning margin of 250,323 votes.
He polled 381,484 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate that polled that polled 131,161.
Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Eyo Ekpo polled 4, 818 votes.
Announcing the results at about 4am on Monday, March 11, INEC Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Warri, Delta State, Akii Ibhadode, said the PDP candidate having scored the highest number of votes and fulfilled the requirements of the law, was returned elected.
According to him, number of registered voters is 1,486,026; accredited voters 542,115, valid votes 522, 309, rejected votes 11,499 and total votes cast 533,808.
MIKE ABANG,Calabar
