By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Massive turnout of voters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives Primary in Akwa Ibom State is attributed to Governor Umo Eno’s performance in the state, party faithful stated during the Congress on Saturday.
Prince Enobong Uwah, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who participated at the primary along many others held at Ward 6 centre in Uyo described the success of the exercise lauded the Governor for making governance in Akwa Ibom a people-oriented administration showing democratic dividends.
According to him, “this massive turnout we are witnessing in today’s House of Representatives Primary Election a reflection of Governor Umo Eno’s impressive performance.”
Uwah, who is the political leader of Uyo Local Government, also commended the APC for adopting direct primaries, saying that it has entrenched democracy and has given members, especially women, the opportunity to support any aspirant they want.
He further applauded party faithful for coming out en masse and peacefully for the conduct of the exercise, urging them to continue to support the party and all the candidates that would be elected to fly the party’s flag.
“As you can see, this is a direct primary. Of course, in a direct primary, you choose to stand behind the aspirant that you want to be the candidate of the party. I prefer this one to the other one where a few delegates sit in one room or one hotel and vote for one person.
“In my place, we are rallying round Mark Esset. He is a very popular candidate. You know we are giving more votes in the general elections to win and go back to represent us in the House of Representatives.
“That is why, after the consensus, you still have to come out to the field to prove that everybody has agreed, and that is what you have seen here today.
“I want them to continue to support the Governor. He means well for our people, and that is why we have this peaceful environment. Of course, we know how primaries used to be before, but today’s event showed how peaceful our state is,” Prince Uwah added.
Commenting on the primaries also, Mr. Inibehe Emmanuel, Chairman of Ward 6, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, said the primaries were very successful, as everyone came to support the party’s candidate.
“We have more than 6,000 registered members in this Ward 6 in Uyo Local Government of Akwa Ibom, and today all of us have come to vote Rt. Hon. Mark Esset to go back and represent us in the National Assembly.
“Today’s event was very successful, peaceful, and rancour-free. This is a sign of the good governance of our governor,” Emmanuel said.
Meanwhile, at the end of the exercise, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset polled a total of 5,615 votes, as announced by the returning officer, Mr. Jude Oliver.
Our Correspondent reports that across the Ward Centres where the primary took place, the exercise was peaceful and massively attended.
