The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State, has concluded primaries for the selection of candidates to represent the party in the forthcoming local government area elections.

The primaries for the selection of councillorship candidates were held last weekend while that for Chairmanship candidates were held last week.

According to a statement by Mr Patrick Ugbe, Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant, Media, to the Governor, “the nomination process was transparent, free of the rancor, bitterness and violence that have always characterized the exercise in the past, thus vindicating Governor Liyel Imoke’s preaching of the engagement of internal democracy in the party.

“As the leader of the party in the state, the Governor enabled the provision of a level playing field that led to the emergence of popular nominees in accordance with the wishes of a broad base of supporters.  Imoke had earlier set up party caucuses in the different local government areas that saw to the smooth process in each of the areas,” he added.

“Some of the candidates that emerged include, Emmanuel Ikwen for Obudu, Mr. Gabriel Ugor – Yala, Pastor Chris Obasse – Obubra, Francis Ettah – Abi, Hon. Ekeng Henshaw – Calabar South, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey – Bakassi and Hon. Etta Mbora – Calabar Municipality,” the statement added.

Further he said, “building on the standard he set in 2007, when he became the first Governor in the country to conduct democratic elections at the local level, Senator Imoke had a Town Hall meeting on May 29, Democracy Day, to a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the political process that he stood ready to ensure the application of the tenets of democracy in the conduct of elections into local government areas in the state.

The primaries presented the Governor an opportunity to keep to his word, and build public confidence in the democratic process.”