Ekpo Okon, ex-PDP chairman in Cross River, has won the party’s southern senatorial district ticket to the senate in the party’s primary election in Calabar.

The PDP’s southern senatorial primary election which ran into the late hours of Tuesday, saw Mr Okon defeating Joseph Edet, former deputy chief of staff to Liyel Imoke by 186 votes to 47.

Speaking on the election, the returning officer, Festus Ibude, said they had 235 delegates on the list but only 234 were accredited for the election.

“After the voting, Dr Joseph Edet scored 47 votes while Mr Ekpo Okon scored 186 votes. We had one void vote and one absent. So, by the powers conferred on me as the returning officer, I hereby declare Mr Ekpo Okon, having scored the highest number of votes, winner of the PDP, Cross River, southern senatorial district primary election,” he said.

Reacting to his victory, Mr Okon noted that the party should be commended for strengthening internal democracy which has made the party stronger.

On his part, Mr Edet, who congratulated the winner, said the people had spoken loud that they preferred Mr Okon.

In the central senatorial district, Bassey Ewa defeated Goddy Eta by 102 to 94 votes, while in the northern senatorial district, the party had only one aspirant, Agom Jarigbe.

Though late, the primary election in the southern senatorial district was peaceful as the delegates in single file voted and left the hall. 

(NAN)