By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom appeared to have had a tough day on Local Government Congresses with a few councils over who emerged candidate of the party in October’s LG elections.
Though the party had worked and announced her preparedness to conduct a peaceful and transparent elections, a few local government areas including Nsit Atai and Ibiono Ibom appeared not to have resolved their internal squabbles before the primaries.
This is after the state chairman of the party Mr Udo Ekpenyong had on Monday declared that the PDP met all the requirements necessary for peaceful and orderly congresses.
Ekpenyong told newsmen that the leadership of the party ensured that due process was thoroughly followed in line with the provisions of the Party’s constitution and would sanction perpetrators of violent acts during the primaries.
To minimise tension therefore, the party had earlier announced an arrangement to hold the congresses for some volatile Councils at strategic locations within Uyo,including Uyo Sports Stadium to ensure close security attention.
As soon as the exercise commenced however, the social media spaces were filled up with rumours of the abduction of the Member representing Nsit Atai Local Government Area in the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly, Mr. Mark Esset and some delegates for the local government Chairmanship Congress.
Reacting to the news however, incumbent chairman of the council and Chairmanship aspirant, Mrs Emem Ibanga acknowledged that her attention had been drawn to the alleged abduction but however defended herself.
“Let it be known that it is not part of me to dignify purveyors of falsehood with replies, but I urge the good people of Nsit Atai local government area and the right thinking members of the public to disregard such news on abduction of anybody.
“The aim of peddlers of this falsehood is to create an aura of crisis and confusion in order to deter the peace loving PDP delegates from coming to exercise their right.
“Let me make it clear that any approach adopted to mar the success of PDP Chapter Congress or sustainability of democracy in Nsit Atai will be lawfully prevented and summarily dismissed.” Ibanga said.
For Ibiono Ibom congress, our correspondent who interacted with delegates who were still waiting at the venue even after every other LGAs had concluded was informed by a delegate who craved anonymity of a strong power play by some key party men in the area.
The Returning officer for the Local Government Areas, Barr Ime Okon, when contacted however said the process was ongoing as the people were awaiting instruction from the party before commencement of the exercise.
“We are waiting instruction from the party. There are issues to be sorted out with the party, but I strongly believe we will still have a peaceful exercise.” He said
Apart from these isolated cases, it was observed that the primaries were conducted peacefully in the other 29 Local Government Areas, even as the state party Chairman was seen visiting the polling units and insisting on a peaceful conduct of the primaries.
Meanwhile the Special Appeal committee set up by the PDP in the state to look into litany of petitions brought by/against some aspirant who were not cleared for the primaries has resolved that the arguments canvassed by the 37 Chairmanship aspirants who appeared before the Panel lacked merit and were wanting in substance.
The appeal committee headed by Uwemedimo Nwoko, maintained that the final list of cleared aspirants published by the party and the decision of the first appeal committee set up by the party was thorough and in compliance with the party constitution and therefore could not be altered or set aside.
