A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Cross River State, Ntufam Ekpo Okon, has emerged as the southern senatorial district candidate.
Okon, who served as a State Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, polled 186 votes against the 47 votes polled by the only other aspirant, Dr. Joseph Edet.
The Returning Officer appointed by the PDP national, Mr. Festus Ibude, conducted the exercise, supervised by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, under the watchful eyes of security operatives.
Ibude said, “the national appointed me to conduct the Cross river southern senatorial district election. We had two aspirants, Dr. Joseph Ekpe Edet and Ekpo Asuquo Okon.
“We had a total number of 235 voters for the primary and accredited 234 delegates.
“After the voting, Dr. Joseph Edet scored 47 votes, while Ntufam Ekpo Okon scored 186 votes. We had one void vote, and one delegate was absent.
“By virtue of my powers as the Returning Officer, I hereby declare Ekpo Asuquo Okon, having scored the highest number of votes as the winner of this PDP primary election for Cross River southern senatorial district,” announced Ibude.
DEMOCRATIC ESSENCE
In a joint interview, the southern senatorial district ticket winner, Ekpo Okon, described the exercise as healthy competition and a mark of strengthened internal democracy.
He said, “This was a healthy competition, which is the essence of democracy.
“For us, we are determined to strengthen internal democracy in the party. If there is one thing we must credit PDP today, it is the fact that internal democracy is stronger.
“Joe has been a worthy competitor. All in all, we found ourselves sharing ideas on how we must give our people better representation.
“For us, we will continue to work together because we have a lot to do. It is the people first,” said Okon.
Also, Dr. Edet, who has held top political appointments in Cross River state under governors Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke, and Ben Ayade, described the primary outcome as a win-win.
While congratulating the contest’s winner amidst a rousing ovation from delegates, Edet stated: “It is a win-win. A win for the people and a win for democracy in Cross River State.
“I congratulate my elder brother; he has proven that he is an old warhorse and still very strong. I had to push him beyond limits, and it is healthy for our democracy.
“I am thrilled that I participated. Democracy is all about the people, and I am happy that the people have spoken loud and clear. The preference is for a man who is full of experience.
“I have a lot to learn from him. In the end, it is the people first,” stated Edet.
Meanwhile, in the northern senatorial district, serving Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe returned as the party’s candidate for the 2023 northern senatorial district election in Cross River state.
At the time of this report, the result of the central senatorial district primary was yet to be announced as they held the exercise at Ikom local government area, which is the headquarters of Cross River central.
E/Suzan O.
