The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has nominated 31 Chairmanship and 368 councillorship candidates for the forthcoming local government election scheduled for October in the state.
The exercise took place in all the wards across the 31 local governments areas of the state.
Speaking on the development, Governor Umo Eno, who participated in the Primary election in Nsit Ubium Local Government, attributed the success of the party’s primary election, largely to the peace enjoyed in Akwa Ibom State, which he said was a result of the general disposition of his administration.
The governor lauded the people of the area and Akwa Ibom people, particularly party faithful for conducting themselves and the exercise peacefully, especially in a period where several parts of the country are not enjoying the ambience experienced in Akwa Ibom, while reiterating his commitment to unveil and implement more welfare packages for the youth.
He congratulated the chairmanship candidate of Nsit Ubium, Alfred Charles and all councilorship candidates who emerged from the nomination exercise, tasking them to be ready to work and maintain the democratic ethos of the PDP as well as contribute to driving the community development efforts encapsulated in his ARISE Agenda.
In Oron Local Government Area where the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, also took part in the primaries, she said that PDP has once again shown good example in orderliness and peace, holding that the Governor Umo Eno administration is a shinning example of good conduct which she said has easily transcended to every part of the state.
In Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun, the State Chairman of the PDP, Aniekan Akpan, who witnessed the nomination of the Chairmanship candidate, Uyo Ukpanah, lauded the delegates and party faithful for the success, restating the party’s readiness to win at the polls and continuing to deliver good governance to the people.
In Abak, the primaries ended on a peaceful note as delegates converged on the Independence Hall, Abak, to elect Ime Charles as the party flag bearer in the forthcoming local government election.
Taking turns to appreciate people of the area for their peaceful conduct, stakeholders including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, immediate past National Assembly member, Aniekan Umanah and other leaders in Abak, predicted massive victory for the party in the October 5 election
In Uyo Ward 7 where the Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah, joined other party faithful in the area to vote in affirmation of their preferred Councillorship aspirant, Uduakabasi Sunday Dan, Party men trouped out in their numbers and queued behind the councillorship candidate to affirm their support for his candidature.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, the Secretary to the State Government described the process as peaceful and lauded the leadership of the PDP in the state for effective leadership and proper organisation, adding that his ward was the first to benefit from the Umo Eno administration through himself, being the first to be appointed into the Governor’s cabinet after swearing in, and as such, they had good reason to be loyal to the PDP.
At the Local Government Council Secretariat, Uwemedimoh Udo, incumbent chairman of Uyo Local Government Council emerged Chairmanship candidate of the party after clinging all 42 delegate votes cast in affirmation of his candidature.
In their separate interactions with newsmen, the SSG, Uwah and the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission, Monday Eyo, expressed their satisfaction with the process and commended stakeholders in the Local Government for giving their nod to a second term arrangement in the Area.
In Itu Local Government Area, where delegates cast their votes to affirm the emergence of Ubong Wilson Ukut, the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Kufreabasi Edidem, who addressed the press, remarked that the party faithful and leaders in Itu have followed the steps of Governor Eno in conducting themselves peacefully and orderly without rancor, to produce a widely accepted candidate for PDP in the October poll.
At Utu Etim Ekpo, the Etim Ekpo Local Government Council Headquarters, where Gideon Uwa emerged as the Chairmanship Candidate, former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Emmanuel Enoidem, lauded the PDP faithful for their orderliness throughout the exercise, even as he described the nomination as the most peaceful in the history of primary elections in Nigeria. He urged Akwa Ibom people to continue to keep faith with the PDP as it is the hope for good governance for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
In Ikot Abasi, a contractor, Uwem Okoko, who spoke to reporters shortly after Ime Williamson Essien emerged after the affirmative nomination, said everything that has happened in Akwa Ibom since the return of democracy in 1999 shows that PDP holds the magic wand for the multifaceted development of Akwa Ibom State.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, speaking in Oko-Ita, Ibiono Ibom, shortly after Asuakak Umoh was affirmed and declared the party’s candidate for the Chairmanship poll, noted that the people of Ibiono Ibom are resolute in maintaining peace and order in their affairs, holding that they will remain supportive to Gov Umo Eno and the ARISE Agenda.
Earlier in Use Ndon, Ememobong had led the party faithful in Ibiono Ibom Ward 5 to move a vote of confidence on Gov Umo Eno, where Ita Edet Bassey emerged as the Councillorship Candidate.
In Eket where Akan Tommey emerged as the PDP Flagbearer, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong congratulated the Chairmanship Candidate and the Councillorship candidates from the Local Government Area urging them to keep accountability and good governance as their watchword when they are voted into office.
In Ini LGA where Inibehe Umah was declared the winner, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Offiong Offor expressed delight at the peaceful conduct of the exercise and sued for continued support for the administration of Governor Umo Eno, while also urging the flag-bearer not to disappoint the confidence reposed on him by the people of Ini.
Otobong Essien who emerged as the PDP chairmanship candidate in Ikono LGA assured the people of quality representation, while also extolling Governor Umo Eno for being gender-sensitive. Itoro Columba, former Chairman, Ikono LGC and Secretary, Ikono Election Committee while congratulating the chairmanship standard bearer of the party, charged party supporters to continue in their unflinching support for Governor Umo Eno and the PDP.
In Essien Udim, Enobong Patrick who has emerged the PDP Chairmanship Candidate, Gov Umo Eno for his peaceful disposition to politics and governance, submitting that the primary has made history as the most peaceful party primary ever held in the area.
Also speaking, one of the stakeholders and delegates from Okon Ward, Imo-Owo Okpokpo, thanked the Governor for his foresight and peaceful disposition that has brought about the most peaceful primary ever held in the history of Essien Udim, submitting that the process has brought about peace, unity and togetherness, assuring that the outcome of the primary will lead to a landslide victory for the party come October 5, 2024.
In Udung Uko LGA, the consensus candidate for the chairmanship ticket, Godwin Okponung, emphasized his commitment to service and the sustenance of peace, vowing to uphold the peace currently enjoyed across the area and pledging to undertake extensive developmental projects in line with Governor Umo Eno’s Arise Agenda.
Also speaking separately shortly after their affirmation as candidates of PDP for the chairmanship poll in their respective areas, the Eket council boss, Akan Tommey, his Uyo counterpart, Uwemedimo Udo, Uyo Ukpanah in Ukanafun, Sunday Okon Etim in Mbo, among others, expressed unreserved appreciation to the party and Gov Eno, for making their nomination process a peaceful and successful endeavor, pledging to represent the party’s democratic ideals in all ramifications and working to support the ARISE Agenda of the governor.
