2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Cross River State
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All 3 Cross River State seats in the Senate of Nigeria | ||||||||||||||||
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 PDP incumbent retiring PDP incumbent running for re-election | ||||||||||||||||
The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Cross River State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Cross River State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.
Background
In the previous Senate elections, two of three incumbent senators were returned with
Benedict Ayade was re-elected with over 73% of the vote in the gubernatorial election and the party won every seat in the House of Assembly. However, the PDP did lose one House of Representatives seat to the APC and although the state was easily won by PDP presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar
, it still swung towards Buhari compared to 2015 and had lower turnout.
During the term, much of the news about Cross River senators focused on the Northern seat as Oko died in March 2020 with the legal and political battles over the ensuing by-election took place over a year.[1] After disputed PDP primaries, Stephen Odey initially won the seat and was sworn in but courts later ruled in MHR Agom Jarigbe's favour and he took office in September 2021.[2][3][4]
Overview
| Affiliation | Party | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDP | APC | ||
| Previous Election | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Before Election | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| After Election | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Summary
PDP incumbent running
| District | Incumbent | Results | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incumbent | Party | Status | Candidates | |
Cross River Central
|
Sandy Ojang Onor | PDP | Incumbent retired New member elected APC gain |
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| Cross River North | Agom Jarigbe | PDP | Incumbent re-elected |
|
Cross River South
|
Gershom Bassey | PDP | Incumbent retired New member elected APC gain |
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Cross River Central
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The Cross River Central Senatorial District covers the local government areas of
Yakurr. The incumbent Sandy Ojang Onor (PDP) was elected with 56.6% of the vote in 2019. In March 2022, Onor announced that he would run for governor of Cross River State instead of seeking re-election.[9]
Primary elections
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May.[10] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process.[11] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.[12][13][14][15]
On the primary date, an indirect primary in
Benedict Ayade;[16] the primary itself was rejected by another candidate, Okoi Obono-Obla.[17] Months later in early December, a Federal High Court ruling annulled the primaries and ordered a rerun exercise.[18] The rerun primary was conducted on 17 December, with it also resulting in the nomination of Williams over his opponents.[19] Nevertheless, aspirant Mary Ekpere returned to court in an attempt to disqualify Williams and first runner-up John Inyang then declared herself as victor.[20]
Annulled primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APC | Eteng Williams | 152 | 48.26% | |
| APC | Akin Ricketts | 109 | 34.60% | |
| APC | Mary Ekpere | 35 | 11.11% | |
| APC | Okoi Obono-Obla | 19 | 6.03% | |
| Total votes | 315 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APC | Eteng Williams | 270 | 88.52% | |
| APC | John Inyang | 27 | 8.85% | |
| APC | Mary Ekpere | 7 | 2.30% | |
| APC | Akin Ricketts | 1 | 0.33% | |
| Total votes | 305 | 100.00% | ||
| Invalid or blank votes | 3 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 308 | 93.3% | ||
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary.[21] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May;[22] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.[23][24][25][26]
On the primary date, candidates contested a direct primary that ended with Bassey Ewa winning the nomination after results showed him defeating former commissioner Goddy Eta by a narrow margin of eight votes.[27]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDP | Bassey Ewa | 102 | 51.26% | |
| PDP | Godwin Ettah | 94 | 47.23% | |
| PDP | Wilfred Usani | 3 | 1.51% | |
| PDP | Other candidates | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Total votes | 199 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AA
|
Roland Bassey Igboke | |||
| ADC | Uti Uwana | |||
| APC | Eteng Williams | |||
| LP | Patrick Okomiso | |||
New Nigeria Peoples Party
|
Samuel Ubana Eno | |||
| PRP | Simon Ebuta Akor | |||
| PDP | Bassey Ewa | |||
| SDP | Dominion Winner Esang | |||
| YPP | Anthony Bissiong Attah | |||
| Total votes | 100.00% | |||
| Invalid or blank votes | N/A | |||
| Turnout | ||||
Cross River North
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The Cross River North Senatorial District covers the local government areas of
Rose Okoji Oko (PDP) was re-elected to the seat with 73.3% of the vote. Oko died in March 2020, leading to a by-election in December 2020. Although the PDP won the by-election, a dispute over the legitimate PDP primary victor between Agom Jarigbe and Stephen Odey
delayed the inauguration; Odey won both initial court decisions and took office late in December 2020. However, Jarigbe later won several court challenges which declared him the legitimate PDP nominee and thus Senator; he took office in September 2021. Jarigbe is seeking re-election.
Primary elections
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May.[10] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process.[11] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.[12][13][14][15]
On the primary date, the indirect primary at the Liyel Imoke Pavilion in
Benedict Ayade, having been on the "oga's list" of Ayade's anointed candidates.[16] The other candidate, Cecilia Adams, boycotted the Pavilion primary and held a parallel primary in which she won.[29] However, the APC recognized the Pavilion primary and accepted Orim as the legitimate nominee until he withdrew from the nomination in July. The withdrawal led to a new primary in Ogoja, won by Ayade himself unopposed after the failure of his presidential campaign. In his acceptance speech, Ayade thanked delegates and vowed to return to the Senate.[30] Although Adams challenged the primary in court, her case was dismissed in February 2023.[31]
Original primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APC | Eteng Williams | 254 | 100.00% | |
| APC | Cecilia Adams | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Total votes | 254 | 100.00% | ||
| Invalid or blank votes | 1 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 255 | Unknown | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APC | Benedict Ayade
|
252 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 252 | 100.00% | ||
| Invalid or blank votes | 3 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 255 | Unknown | ||
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary.[21] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May;[32] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.[23][24][25][33]
On the primary date, an indirect primary ended with Jarigbe's renomination as he was unopposed.[27]
Campaign
Opponents of Ayade noted the lack of development in the district throughout his first term as senator and two terms as governor as rationale to vote against him.[34]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AA
|
Peter Banbeshie Ikwen | |||
| ADC | John Ogar | |||
| APC | Benedict Ayade
|
|||
| APM | Joseph Odey Adula | |||
| LP | Gboshe Aganyi Gboshe | |||
New Nigeria Peoples Party
|
Carolyn Williams Okem | |||
| PRP | Williams Ibu | |||
| PDP | Agom Jarigbe | |||
| SDP | Gabriel Abbas Abuashe | |||
| YPP | Unimke Kenneth Ogar | |||
| Total votes | 100.00% | |||
| Invalid or blank votes | N/A | |||
| Turnout | ||||
Cross River South
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The Cross River South Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, and Odukpani. The incumbent Gershom Bassey (PDP) was re-elected with 54.5% of the vote in 2019. In March 2022, Onor announced that he would run for governor of Cross River State instead of seeking re-election; he was defeated in the PDP gubernatorial primary.[9]
Primary elections
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May.[10] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process.[11] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.[12][13][14][15]
Two candidates contested in the primary that ended with
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APC | Asuquo Ekpenyong | 347 | 100.00% | |
| APC | Victor Effiom Ekpo (withdrawn) | 0 | 0.00% | |
| Total votes | 347 | 100.00% | ||
| Invalid or blank votes | 4 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 351 | 100.00% | ||
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary.[21] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May;[35] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.[23][24][25][36]
On the primary date, two candidates contested a direct primary that ended with Ekpo Okon—former state PDP chairman—winning the nomination after results showed him defeating Joseph Edet by a 60% margin. After the primary, Edet conceded and accepted the results while Okon commended PDP internal democracy during the process.[27]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDP | Ekpo Okon | 186 | 79.83% | |
| PDP | Joseph Edet | 47 | 20.17% | |
| Total votes | 233 | 100.00% | ||
| Invalid or blank votes | 1 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 234 | 99.57% | ||
Campaign
In a January 2023 overview of legislative races in the South South, reporters from Vanguard noted key issues for the campaigns of Okon—he was caught in between the blocs of the state PDP with his longtime allies (former governors Liyel Imoke and Donald Duke) on one side while the PDP gubernatorial nominee Sandy Ojang Onor was on the other side—and disputed LP nominee Daniel Effiong Asuquo—some people blamed his refusal to withdraw from the PDP gubernatorial primary as the cause of Bassey's defeat.[37]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADC | Josee Offiong | |||
| APC | Asuquo Ekpenyong | |||
| APGA | Ukpong Chuwang Daniel | |||
| APM | Gloria Odidi Orok | |||
| LP | Daniel Effiong Asuquo | |||
New Nigeria Peoples Party
|
Ayi Etim Ekpenyown | |||
| PRP | Celestine Awor Inyang | |||
| PDP | Ekpo Okon | |||
| SDP | Newton Bassey Edet | |||
| YPP | Andem Archibong Ekeng | |||
| Total votes | 100.00% | |||
| Invalid or blank votes | N/A | |||
| Turnout | ||||
See also
References
- ^ Aborisade, Sunday. "Cross River female senator, Rose Oko, dies at 63". The Punch. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Alhassan, Rayyan. "Finally, Senate President swears in Stephen Odey". Daily Nigerian. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- Daily Trust. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Aborisade, Sunday. "Lawan swears in Jarigbe as Senator". The Punch. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ a b Okoro, Judex (29 May 2022). "Ayade's loyalists sweep NASS tickets in APC 's primaries, as aspirants protest alleged irregularities". The Sun. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Adenekan, Samson. "Download: Full List of 2023 Presidential, Vice Presidential, NASS candidates". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "Ex-PDP chairman wins Cross River Southern senatorial ticket". Peoples Gazette. News Agency of Nigeria. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ "Ayade picks APC ticket for Cross River North Senate's Seat". Vanguard. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ a b Okoro, Judex. "2023: 3 PDP NASS members, educationist join Cross River guber race". The Sun. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Odunsi, Wale. "2023: APC extends sale of forms, fixes dates to elect delegates". Daily Post. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Nseyen, Nsikak. "2023: APC fixes new date for governorship primaries, others". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Majeed, Bakare (20 April 2022). "UPDATED: 2023: APC fixes presidential forms for N100 million, adopts indirect primaries". Premium Times. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Angbulu, Stephen; Ayeni, Victor; Dada, Peter; Naku, Dennis; Ede, Raphael (21 April 2022). "Presidential primary: APC silent on zoning, Nigerians condemn N100m nomination fee". The Punch. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ a b c APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (11 May 2022). "NEW DATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (18 May 2022). "ADJUSTED TIMETABLE" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e f g Okoro, Judex. "Ayade's loyalists sweep NASS tickets in APC 's primaries, as aspirants protest alleged irregularities". The Sun. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Obia, Patrick. "APC Is Beyond Redemption – Obono-Obla, Says Senatorial Primaries A Charade". Cross River Watch. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Olasanmi, Kunle. "APC Cross River Central: Court Orders Rerun Primary". Leadership. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ a b Ugbal, Jonathan. "JUST IN: Cross River Assembly Speaker, Eteng Jones Wins APC Senatorial Rerun Primary". Cross River Watch. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ Okoro, Judex. "Cross River: APC Senatorial Aspirant Rejects Tinubu's Reconciliatory Moves, Heads To Court". Cross River Watch. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ a b c Angbulu, Stephen (21 April 2022). "2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ a b c Yakubu, Dirisu (16 March 2022). "[BREAKING] 2023: PDP Presidential primary holds in May". Vanguard. Abuja. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Akpan, Samuel (17 March 2022). "2023: PDP releases pre-election schedule, fixes presidential primary poll for May 28". TheCable. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Official PDP Nigeria [@OfficialPDPNig] (5 May 2022). "2023 General Elections: @OfficialPDPNig updated Time Table and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 general elections. See below" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Ex-PDP chairman wins Cross River Southern senatorial ticket". Peoples Gazette. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ a b Asare, Asare. "Primaries: Martins Orim wins APC's Cross River North senatorial ticket". Daily Post. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Sunday, Ochogwu. "Gov Ayade loses APC senatorial ticket". Daily Post. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Ayade picks APC ticket for Cross River North Senate's Seat". Vanguard. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Blankson, Esther. "Elections: Appeal Court dismisses suit against Ayade". The Punch. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ThisDay. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Amaize, Emma; Ahon, Festus; Yafugborhi, Egufe; Una, Emma; Onuegbu, Chioma; Aliu, Ozioruva. "2023 Polls: Inside South-South vengeful battle". Vanguard. Retrieved 11 February 2023.