#CRSDecides2022 Live Update: Low Voter Turnout As Jude Ngaji Wins Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency

By Jonathan Ugbal

Mr. Jude Ngaji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been announced winner of the February 26th 2022 legislative by-election for the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency.

He polled 22,778 votes in both local government areas to beat his closest opponent, Mike Usibe of the People’s Democratic Party who garnered 20,590 votes which is 2,188 fewer than those of Mr. Ngaji.

The remaining seven candidates garnered 460 votes in an election that was heavily militarized and marred with shootings and snatching of election materials.

Some of these were reported by CrossRiverWatch.

However, the returning officer, Dr. John Edor said there was no action that could have led to the annulment of elections in any place and proceeded to declare Mr. Ngaji winner.

Despite initial reports of positive voter turnout, the total number of accredited voters was 45,877 which is 23.69 percent of the 193,618 registered voters in the federal constituency.

The total number of votes cast 45,356 of which 1,528 were rejected and valid votes tallied at 43,828.

The elections showed a sharp divide with the PDP winning in Ogoja while the APC won in Yala

Reacting to the results, Alphonsus Eba, the chairman of the APC in Cross River State said he won the most important of the two by-elections. It will be recalled that the PDP won the Akpabuyo State constituency.