C’River Bye Elections: PDP retains stronghold in northern district
… APC consolidates in the South
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Cross River State has retained it’s stronghold in the Northern Senatorial District of the state by winning the two state assembly seats in the area.
The party, lead by its political leader in the area and Senator representing Cross River North in the National Assembly recorded another political victory by winning the re -run elections in Obanliku and Yala II state constituencies.
At the Obanliku re-run, Ashakia Pius (PDP) polled 275 votes in the two polling units to take his total tally to 10,587 votes while Sunday Achunekang (APC), who had challenged Ashakia’s election in 2023, scored 243 votes to take his total tally to 10,427 votes.
Ashakia was declared winner by the returning officer, Dr. Blessing Anyalebechi.
At Yala II re-run, Dr. Martins Achadu of PDP polled 9,168 votes to defeat Mrs. Cynthia Nkassi of APC, who polled 8,647 votes. Achadu of PDP was declared winner by the returning officer, Mrs. Dorathy Inyang.
Reacting to the Victory of his party, the political leader of the party in the area, Senator Agom Jarigbe thanked the constituents for the confidence reposed on the party.
He promised that the party will not disappoint the electorates.
“We have once again shown that PDP remains the dominant party in my senatorial zone just as the people have demonstrated their confidence in us by voting for our candidates at the re-run polls, an indication that we are on ground.
“I enjoin the winners to always imbibe the culture of working together for the benefit of our people who have freely given us their mandates in trust as well as continue to fulfil electoral promises to our constituents.
“Once again. I commend the people of the north for always standing with us in time as this. We shall not disappoint but would always endeavour to meet your needs within the available limited resources”, he said.
Similarly, in the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency Bye Elections, Emil Inyang of the APC emerged winner.
He won in seventeen pooling units in the areas where the elections were held while his PDP rival Austin Aidam won two units.
By this victory, the APC consolidated it’s grip on the southern senatorial district.