Prof. Ben Ayade, the governor of Cross River State, has emerged as the APC's candidate for the Cross River North Senatorial District in the 2023 election.
Following the voluntary resignation of the previous candidate, Martins Orim, new primaries were held on Thursday in accordance with the rules of the new Electoral Act.
Ayade received 252 out of the 255 votes cast in the primary, which was conducted at the offices of the Ogoja Local Government and saw no opposition.
Sameera Tabo, the head of the election body, pronounced Ayade the victor and ruled that three votes were illegal.
Ayade thanked the delegates for choosing him as president of Nigeria and said in his victory speech, "After running for the post of president of Nigeria, I returned home and then came under enormous pressure from my people.
"They said that I performed admirably during my time as a senator from 2011 to 2015 and requested that I return; now, I have heeded their call. Of course they understood that this nation needed a legislator with both legislative and executive experience.
If elected, Ayade claimed he would bring his abundance of experience to the upper legislative house since he was well-suited for the senate.
"I have all the necessary skills to assist us draught the right rules and legislation that will alter the perceptions of our people. I am highly experienced, I am aware of the difficulties that our people face.
"More importantly, it is crucial to collaborate with the Federal Republic of Nigeria's incoming APC president to rebuild the concept of development within the African context.
In a sluggish, growing economy, focus cannot be placed solely on infrastructure because development is about the people.
"People, medium-sized firms, and small businesses will be our main targets. They will receive enough grants and support to help them move out of poverty.
Therefore, he said, "I am glad that I am returning to the legislature where I can bring more value to the future government and this country."