Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom says he will reconcile aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party members after the party’s primary elections.

“Akwa Ibom is PDP, and PDP is Akwa Ibom,” Mr Emmanuel said. “I hope to immediately set up a reconciliation committee for those of us feeling aggrieved that probably the process, today, did not favour them.”

Mr Emmanuel spoke with journalists at his country home, Onna, after the House of Assembly and House of Representatives primaries.

He said though delegates to the primaries were limited to recently elected ad hoc delegates, candidates chosen were capable of ensuring a clean sweep for the party in next year’s general elections.

According to the governor, the party remains united and strong, despite grievances from some members.

“Today, I decided to obey the rules of the Electoral Act that disqualified me from being a delegate; I refused to go near the venue. It is an act of God, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. No one in this country saw this coming,” Mr Emmanuel added. “So, we must take it the way we have seen it, so the committee will reconcile and bring them back together.”

Meanwhile, Ephraim Inyangeyen, an aspirant from Akwa Ibom South senatorial district, said a group of aspirants had decided to pull out of the primaries because of the pending court issues from the last ad hoc delegates election in the state.

Mr Inyangeyen, the former chief of staff to the governor, explained that the exercise conducted by the PDP in Akwa Ibom was illegal and could not be considered a democratic exercise.

He expressed disappointment at the government for failing to provide a level-playing ground because “they were afraid to lose in a free and fair competition.”

However, Joseph Ekpeyong, the returning officer in Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, announced Udo Friday as a candidate for the constituency, with 61 votes from 62 delegates.

Michael Nsang, the returning officer for Eket Federal Constituency, announced Okpolupm Ette, who got 103 votes, as the winner of the Eket Federal Constituency, while his closest rival, David Lawrence, had 27 votes.

Eket Federal Constituency includes Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Onna local government areas.

(NAN)