By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

An aspirant for the Cross River Central Senatorial District, Barr. Mary Ekpere, has demanded to be declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary held on Monday.

Ekpere, a former Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja, now known as the Mariam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, based her demand on the claim that another aspirant, Oden Ibiang Ewa, who was declared winner of the primary, was not cleared by the APC Senate Screening Committee, thereby invalidating his participation and declaration as winner.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Ekpere disclosed that she had submitted a petition to the Senate Appeal Committee of the party, seeking to be declared winner of the primary as the cleared aspirant with the highest number of votes.

According to the results announced by the Returning Officer, Barrister Eyo Nsa Ekpo, after the collation exercise conducted at the Ikom Local Government Area Council Hall, Ewa polled 32,426 votes, while Ekpere secured 991 votes. The incumbent senator, Eteng Jonah Williams, garnered 726 votes.

Ekpere said: “The Screening Committee of the party did not clear Oden Ibiang Ewa. His name appeared on the list of senatorial aspirants who were not cleared, as announced across official channels of the party. I was therefore surprised that the same individual showed up to participate in the primary and was eventually declared winner.

“I was declared second with 991 votes, while Senator Eteng Jonah Williams came third.

“But I must state that Oden Ewa’s participation and eventual declaration are in breach of APC primary regulations, Sections 85 and 86 of the Electoral Act 2026, and Sections 71 and 72 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.”

She urged the party to nullify the votes credited to Ewa on the grounds that he was allegedly disqualified from participating in the primary.

“For justice and strict adherence to the law and the regulations of our party, I should subsequently be declared the winner of the primary and candidate of the APC for Cross River Central Senatorial District,” she said.

Ekpere described herself as a founding member of the APC who has remained committed to the ideals, progress and unity of the party, adding that she opted to pursue the matter through the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism.

When asked what steps she would take if the appeal committee rejects her request, Ekpere expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to handle the matter fairly.

“Based on what I saw when I submitted my petition on Wednesday, I believe the Appeal Committee will treat my matter on its merits. But if they don’t, I will consult party leaders, my supporters and constituents on the next line of action. I am running based on calls from the people, and they determine my actions and decisions,” she stated.