2023 Elections: Essien Ayi, others pick tickets to return to National Assembly
Rt. Hon. Apostle Essien Ayi, Member Representing Calabar South, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives has emerged as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Sunday primaries held at the Main Bowl of the Cultural Centre, Calabar Cross River State.
The event which was supervised by INEC had a 3-man panel headed by Asuquo Ekpo, PDP State Vice-Chairman. Voting commenced in earnest after a combined team of security operatives overpowered the protesting youths. Out of 99 votes cast at the venue, Hon. Essien Ayi scored 57 votes, Mrs. Emana Duke 23 votes, Hon. Dominic Aqua Edem who was a former commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 16 votes and Rev. (Dr.) Peter Eyo 3 votes.
In a swift reaction after the exercise, the Campaign Director of one of the participants and former chairman of Bakassi Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Etene commended Capt. Dan Egba (rtd) led National Working Committee (NWC) team for a job well done notwithstanding some hitches due to lapses in logistics. He called on all contestants to accept the result in good faith as his principal performed optimally considering her political wits to challenge the male-dominated aspirants in the race.
Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi in his reaction after the exercise thanked God and the good people of his constituency for appreciating his modest efforts as their representative in transforming the area in infrastructure and human capital development as well as lifting many vulnerable people out of poverty.
Also, the Member Representing Odukpani/Calabar Municipality in the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Eta Mbora, also won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest the 2023 election.
Mbora was declared the winner on Sunday, May 22, 2022, after polling a total of 56 votes to defeat his closest rival Mr. Esuabanga Asuquo Esuabanga who scored 14 votes at the primaries conducted in Nkonib Town Hall, Ikot Ansa, Calabar Municipality by a 3 – man panel headed by Ikpi Ubana Enyong.
By: Archibong Emmanuel.
(Snr. Reporter)
