Governor Ben Ayade’s former Chief of Staff Chief Martind Orim and former Commissioner for Finance Asuquo Ekpeyong Jr. both emerged winners in the senatorial primaries of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River.

Orim won the ticket for Northern senatorial dictrict in the primary at Ogoja while Ekpeyong got the ticket for South Senatorial district in Calabar.

Ekpeyong polled 347 votes from 351 accredited voters. Four votes were voided while his only opponent Mr. Victor Effiom Ekpo got zero vote.

Read Also: How I’ll engage Nigerians on my presidential bid, by Ayade

In the exercise monitored by INEC, the Returning Officer for the contest, Barr. Chioma Nzekwe made the official declaration of results.

Asuquo thanked his supporters and members of the party who stood by him all through the times he approached them to seek for their support.

He pledged not to betray the confidence reposed in him, calling for support from party men and women to enable the party emerge victorious in the 2023 general elections.

Orim pledged his gratitude to the people and to the Governor assuring them of meaningful representation.