From Christopher Tom, Uyo
The Governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom State yesterday, witnessed two parallel elections in different venues. It also produced two aspirants that emerged as winners to become flag bearers of the party.
Some of the delegates were confused where to cast their vote as they came out massively to vote aspirants of their choice since some of the aspirants had boycotted the election for personal reasons based known to them.
It was alleged that INEC officials were at the two venues of the governorship primary election. Rt. Hon. Mike Enyong emerged the winner of the party primaries with 2447 votes at a different venue in Uyo while at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium which witnessed the Governorship primaries of the People Democratic Party, delegates voted massively for aspirant of their choice to emerge the flag bearer of the party despite the conflicting issue of the party primaries in the state. In view of the above, the returning Officer who is also the deputy governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shuaibu stated that out of one 1800 delegates, two votes were voided when announcing the result that Akan Okon have three vote, Mr. Etim Aniekan two vote, Mike Enyong one vote, Sen. Albert Bassey one vote, Hon. Onofiok Luke three votes, while Pastor Umo Eno have 993 vote.
The returning officer for the PDP 2023 primary election in Akwa Ibom State, declared Pastor Umo Eno as the winner of the election held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for Governorship nomination of the party in Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, 25th 2022. Mr. Shuaibu said the election is free and fair without any crisis or intimidation among the people.
He commended the aspirants, delegates for their cooperation to have a successful election, advising party members that there is no winner no vanquished understanding the entire drama among them is a family affair as he acknowledged that the entire aspirants that contested in the election are fourteen in number which have exhibited the true spirit of sportsmanship among them for others to emulate.
The winner of the election, Pastor Umo Eno commended the election committee and also the delegate for conducting a peaceful election without crises or discrimination allowing level play- ground for every aspirant to be on the poll. He used the opportunity to call on other aspirants to work with him to actualize successful government where they will carry everybody along especially development of the state. He said he will make sure children will be trained in various skills and his government will not joke with the issue of health, power and especially security as the people will witness massive development. He advised the youths to shun cultism and take advantage of his program when become the governor of the state.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel also commended the election committee and INEC for conducting peaceful election which has not existed since the creation of the State and believe since he stand on peace would inform the party chairman to immediately constitute reconciliation committee for the sake of the party to move forward while those aggrieved should embrace the party reconciliation.
