The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Cross River State.
Announcing the results of the governorship primaries at the party secretariat, No 117 Ndidem Iso Road in Calabar on Monday, the Chairman of APC Governorship Election Committee in the State Ntufam Emmanuel Anom said Pastor Usani polled 47, 313 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator John Owan Enoh who had 1, 486 votes.
“Pastor Usani Uguru Usani polled 47, 313 votes, Senator John Owan Enoh polled 1, 486 votes, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong 1, 162 votes, John Ugban Odey 1, 099 votes and High Chief Edem Duke scored 1, 322 votes.
“Pastor Usani Uguru Usani having scored 47, 313 votes being the highest number of lawful votes cast, is the winner and therefore declared the winner of the governorship candidate of APC in Cross River,” he stated.
He said that the party had on Sunday 30th September 2018, conducted the direct governorship primaries as approved for the State by the National Headquarters of the Party with prescribed standard and rules.
“The results from seven out of 18 local government areas were collected and entered on the 30th September 2018 while eleven outstanding local government areas were collected on the 1st October 2018 in compliance with basic principles of law.
“These activities were witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and basic organs of security agencies.
“Few cases were, however observed which were aimed at disrupting the process. The cases were noted in Abi, Obubra, Ikom, Yakurr but did not substantially effect the outcome of the primary elections.
“Having compiled the primary elections results in the 18 local government areas, the outcome was that free, fair and credible governorship primaries were conducted,” he added.
Also speaking, the APC State Chairman, Ntufam Godwin Etim John said “It has been very rigorous, very turbulent; in fact, the whole world did not believe that the APC will be able to conduct free, fair, very honest and credible primary elections.
“But because we always believe in our God, because we are a very peaceful and law abiding party, God in His own mercies, love and grace has given us opportunity to conduct a very free, fair and credible primary elections for governorship.
“Today, all of us in Cross River State are witnesses, I am happy INEC in Cross River State is here monitoring all what is happening, the NWC send in their representatives here too to monitor the primaries.
“The staff of INEC were with us throughout the primaries in 196 wards in the state, the Police, DSS and other security agencies including Civil Defence were all here.
“We in APC believe in hard work, commitments and loyalty to the party. In elections, there are bound to be agreement and disagreement but by grace of God, there is Appeal Panel for any aggrieved person to contact,” he stated.
He charged those who contested to accept the position of the party and work for the betterment of the party.
“We charge Pastor Usani to be magnanimous in victory and make approaches to various contestants to ensure that they work with him towards ensuring that the Party wins the forth coming elections.
“Members should not do something that will hinder the progress and success of the party,” he advised.
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