2023 Guber Polls: Ayade, Jarigbe, Onor, Emana Vote, each optimistic of victory

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has expressed satisfaction in the turnout of voters at the March 18 governorship and House of Assembly elections, describing it as massive.

The governor expressed  his satisfaction shortly after casting his votes at exactly 11:07.am, Ward 033, Ipong Ward.

Governor Ayade noted that “this is a remarkable departure from the Presidential and Senatorial elections of February 12, when INEC personnel were nowhere to be seen, culminating in the delay in the exercise. 

“Voting, as I learnt, actually started here at 8:30.am. The turnout, I should admit, is also massive. I must also not fail to mention that it is peaceful.”

Similarly, Senator representing Cross River North in the National Assembly,Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe  has expresssed confidence of a People’s Democratic Party(PDP)total victory in the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

Jarigbe  stated this shortly after casting his votes at Polling Unit 005,Saint Michael Primary School,Nkum Irede Ward ,OGOJA local Government Area

“I am confident that Senator Sandy ONOR will be Governor and all PDP House of Assembly Candidates will win,”,adding that the will of the people is massive and should be allowed to prevail in the elections.

Senator Jarigbe lauded INEC for early distribution of materials which he pointed out made it possible for elections to start at 8.30am.

On his part, Senator Sandy Onor, the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party  decried pockets of violence in parts of the state in the ongoing Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The PDP candidate stated this shortly after casting his vote at exactly 9:32am at his Akpor Town Hall polling unit 06, Nsofan, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River.

Onor said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) were never prepared for the election as such, pockets of violence being perpetrated by the party in parts of the state.

“They know that the people have deserted them and the only way they could win is rig and cause violence. 

“This is primarily our concern for now and we know that the people are with us.

“I can only urge Crossriverians to remains calm, cast their vote and protect the votes until the final collation is done and results announced,” he stated.

Also speaking, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP Emana Duke called on INEC  not to  disappoint The Electorates.

She made this known  at the Government Primary School Esuk Mba after casting her vote.

She expressed happiness with the smooth way the process is going on in her unit and  said this should be replicated across the state.

“We expect INEC to follow due diligence and hold themselves by the creed they stand by which is that people’s votes count.

“INEC should not disappoint the state so that confidence can be restored in the system.

“So far, the weather is clement, people have turned out early here and things are alright, the BIVAS is working and hopefully this should be sustained across the state”, she said.

Meanwhile voting at the Ikot Edem Odo Ward 8,  PU006 at 10:19   and has 434 voters.

No challenge was recorded as  things went on smoothly.

Similarly, at Calabar Municipality Ward 1, PU 14 with 750 voters, voting started at 8:30 am with a reasonable number of voters and no challenge was recorded as at the time our correspondent visited.