By Jonathan Ugbal: Government House Correspondent
Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has cast his vote at the ongoing house of assembly bye-election in Obudu local government area of northern Cross River State.
Mr. Ayade arrived his polling unit at Kakum village in at 10:21 AM and immediately proceeded to be accredited amidst cheers from the locals.
His right thumb had failed but his index finger got him accredited.
He then voted at exactly 10:26 AM.
Addressing the press shortly after casting his vote, Mr. Ayade commended the organisation of the bye-elections and expressed confidence that his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will win.
When asked what he expects at the end of the polls, Ayade expressed confidence and averred that: “I am PDP and so definitely PDP should win.”
Commending the electoral umpire, Ayade said that: “Voting is been done very peacefully, there is no rancour, very peaceful. I must commend INEC to this point at after 10. Everything across the local government has been very very peaceful.”
The governor who also commended the security agencies averred that he views the election as a validation of his service.
On the turnout of voters, he said that: “This is my home town, this is where I was born. I am right in my own family polling unit and so here we are with a large crowd and I hear it is the same everywhere across. But, I am going to return, go sit down and wait for the counting and I am sure after the counting, we will also sit back and wait for the result at the local government collation center.”
As at press time, it was unclear whether the candidates of both political parties had casted their votes.
However, there has been no report of security challenges despite the vandalism, fights as well tackles traded by the different political parties and their chieftains.
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