Former minister of Culture, Tourism and Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has rejected the results which were expected to be released by the Dr. Matthew Achigbe-led APC faction in Cross River state.
Duke and another aspirant, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong, had pointedly accused the national Vice Chairman (South-South) of the party, Hilliard Eta, of favouring a particular aspirant against others.
Speaking through his media aide, Mr Joe Odey, Chief Edem Duke argued strongly that there were no primaries in much of the state because materials for the election were reportedly hijacked by Senator Owan-Enoh’s sponsored thugs with the full knowledge of the party leaders.
Duke alleged that election materials were only sent to towns in the state which are strongholds of Owan-Enoh, including Ikom, Stung and Boki LGAs of the state.
“I put it to you on good authority that the remaining 15 LGAs did not see a single sheet of ballot paper. Yet, they will announce results for all 18 LGAs so as to declare Senator Owan-Enoh as winner.”
Duke’s media aide said except for Minister Usani Uguru Usani “who single-handedly did his own congress yesterday, the other three candidates namely, Edem Duke, John Odey and Prof Eyo Etim Nyong hold that there was no guber primary in the state.”
Daily Trust learnt that the results were expected to be released at about 10pm on Monday at a community hall in an obscure area in Ikot Ishie, Calabar Municipality instead of the party’s state secreatariat.
There are indications that Senator John Owan-Enoh who presently represents Cross River central at the Senate may be declared winner of the governorship primaries in the state.
Addressing newsmen before the primaries, the national vice chairman for South-South said despite the late arrival of the election committee from Abuja, materials were evenly distributed.
Eta said the election was well conducted and a winner had to emerge as the party’s flag bearer.
Few hours ago, the APC faction led by Mr Godwin Etim John had declared the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani as having beaten Owan-Enoh and three other contenders to emerge winner.
He was therefore declared winner by the Chairman Coalition Committee for the governorship primaries in the state, Ntufam Emmanuel Anom.
“The primaries were conducted in all the 196 wards of the state and Pastor Usani Uguru Usani emerged winner by pulling 47, 313 votes,” Anom said.
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