Mr. Akan Udofia (wearing blue shirt) addressing supporters after winning the APC governorship nomination.
By Contributor
Obong Akanimo Asuquo Udofia has emerged the winner of the primaries conducted by the All Progressive Congress Party (APC) in Akwa Ibom State on Thursday 26th May, 2022.
In a surprisingly peaceful poll, following delay and confusion which marred the earlier attempt at voting, Udofia floored the other contestants in a keenly contested primary, emerging the winner with a landslide margin above the other contestants.
In a hotly contested primary election to become the APC flag bearer to wrestle the hilltop mansion from the incumbent Governor Udom Emmanuel of the PDP government in 2023. Out of the 1,313 accredited delegates, Udofia polled 1,227 votes to beat eight other aspirants. Udofia polled the highest number of delegate votes with Senator Ita Enang achieving 34, Prof. Chris Ekong 21, Uduak Udoh 7, Richard Anana 2, Sen James Akpanudodehe 2, Larry Esin 1. 19 votes were deemed invalid or voided.
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Victory was announced by Mr. Omobatunde Ajibulu despite attempts to stall the process.
The voting which eventually took place late night Thursday evening was witnessed by a crowd of die-hard defenders of democracy and the will of the people was obvious for all to see.
The process was officiated by the Primary Election Committee from APC National Abuja, consisting of Omoba Tunde Ajibulu, Ms Evelyn Okere, Evito Amuno Choise, Engr. Bosey Ephrain and Dennis Ngene Tubo Bakar. The Independent National Electorate Commission (INEC) monitored proceedings.
Addressing the jubilant crowd on the pronouncement of his win, Udofia thanked the committee for “being very resilient in the face of immense danger, unprovoked or provoked conduct.”
He assured his teeming supporters, party delegates and the peace loving sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State that his mission to bring prosperity to all and sundry had only just begun. He admonished them to back him up in the forth coming General elections, stand firm and believe that God Almighty, who has brought him thus far, would complete his mission of prosperity come 2023.
Udofia while extending a hand of fellowship to other aggrieved members promised to carry everyone along even as they looked forward to winning Akwa Ibom at the 2023 general elections.
“I thank God with the way you conducted yourselves. Most especially party faithful who despite all challenges, and intimidations from undemocratic forces, because the way certain people behaved today was certainly not anyway tenable in the life of an Akwa Ibom person. Akwa Ibom is a peaceful state and our people do not stand for anything not peaceful.
” I want to say that this is the beginning of a revolution. The Akwa Ibom APC have spoken very loud, you have indicated that true change will come to Akwa Ibom State come 2023. You have agreed that we are going to use our great party, the APC to institutionalize the dividends of democracy and it must cascade down to the last ward, to the last corner.
“We are going to build a greater Akwa Ibom State. It is going to be an enormous task but when I look at the resilience of each and every one of you party faithful, I know you are ready to join hands with me and together we are going to make Akwa Ibom a greater and better state.” He assured.
He commended the ex-minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio for his efforts at building the party and called for support for his presidential ambition.
 in Akwa Ibom State on Thursday 26th May, 2022.){kind=link}