The longest serving Cross River State lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi has been defeated by the Deputy Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Joseph Bassey in Calabar South/Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency election held on Saturday.

Hon. Ayi who has been in the Green Chambers for 24 years lost his reelection bid to the younger Bassey, whom he groomed.

Hon. Bassey of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was announced as the winner by INEC on Monday morning having scored the highest number of votes.

Hon. Ayi was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).