INEC Declares APC’S Bassey Otu as winner of Cross Rivers State

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bassey Otu, has been declared the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Otu, polled 762,134 votes to defeat his closest opponent, of Labour Party (LP), who scored 312,329 votes, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), scored 62,449 Votes.

Otu, a former federal lawmaker, scored 258,619 votes to defeat his closest contender and a serving senator, Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 179,636.

With his declaration as governor-elect by the electoral umpire, Otu will succeed the incumbent governor and APC party man, Ben Ayade whose eight-year two-term will end on May 29, 2023.

So far, the results of 18 governorship polls have been announced. The APC takes the lead with 12 states, PDP with five states and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) with one state.

The election which was held across the 18 local government areas of the state saw Otu defeating his closest rival, Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, garnering 258, 619 votes.

Security was beefed up with more security personnel escorting the results to the state capital late Sunday evening.