PDP Primaries: Okon clinches Cross River South senatorial ticket
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Former state chairman of the Cross River Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ntufam Ekpo Okon, has clinched the ticket for Southern Senatorial District ahead of the 2023 General Elections.
Ntufam Okon, a former Works Commissioner in Cross River State and also a veteran journalist defeated his sole opponent Dr. Joseph Edet by 186 votes to 47.
Festus Ibude, the returning officer for the election said 235 delegates were eligible for the excercise, 234 were accredited to vote and there was one void vote.
He said, “By virtue of my powers as the returning officer, I hereby declare that Ekpo Okon Asuquo having scored the highest number of votes as the winner of the PDP primary election for Cross River South Senatorial District”, he said.
In his remarks, Hon. Ekpo Okon said it’s people first and commended his party saying internal democracy is getting stronger in the PDP.
He described his opponent as a worthy competitor and promised to share ideas with him in how to give the people a better representation.
“We are determined to strengthen internal democracy in the party.
“If there is one thing we must credit PDP today is the fact that internal democracy is stronger and getting stronger.
“Joe has been a worthy competitor, in all we found ourselves sharing ideas on how to give our people better representation.
“For us, we will continue to work together because it’s people first”, he said.
On his part, Dr. Joe Edet said it’s a win for the people and a win for democracy.
He added that Ekpo Okon has proven that he is an old war horse and still very strong.
He said democracy is all about the people and the people have spoken very loud and clear that the preference is for a man with experience and they will live to fight another day.
“It’s a win, win, win for the people and a win for democracy in Cross River State.
“I want to congratulate my elder brother Ntufam Ekpo Okon, he has proven that he is an old war horse and still very strong.
“I had to push him almost to the limit and it’s healthy for democracy.
“Democracy is all about the people, they have spoken very loud and clear and the preference is for a man with experience, we will live to fight another day”, he said.
