All Progressives Congress stalwarts (APC) in Cross River State are still surprised that Governor Ben Ayade lost his bid to return to the Senate. The two-term governor had a dismal performance in the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections, poling 56,595 votes against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jaribe Agom-Jaribe, who polled 76,145 votes.
While analysts point to a disconnect between him and his Cross River North people, who still feel he abandoned them when he became governor,others blame his dumping of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) for his defeat.
