A frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom, Hon Onofiok Akpan Luke, has shunned the party gubernatorial primary election conducted in the state The Trumpet gathered.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, the aspirant Luke reiterated that he went into the contest to change the narrative in the state political system and governance through his campaign slogan tagged ” Building Together and Growing Together.”
Luke, a member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Etinan, Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, maintained that his campaign message was taken across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State. He said the campaign was predicated on the premise of the hope that his planned victory will depend on God using the delegates to perfect it.
The statement reads in parts: “We took our message to all the 31 chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State. That message was well accepted by members of our party and soundly resonated with Akwa Ibom citizens. Our hope of victory was dependent on God using the delegates at the PDP primaries and ultimately Akwa Ibom people at the general election.”
Read Also: Buhari, Bawa berate judiciary on anti-corruption war
The aspirant explained that the unfolding realities within the party and the nation caused him to reconsider his participation in the party primaries. He said it was later dawned on him that his victory in the governorship race in the state depend on ad-hoc instead of statutory delegates which he earlier banked on.
“We also do not have any of the ad-hoc delegates as our supporters who bought forms to be adhoc delegates were excluded from the process.”
He said this complaint has been officially communicated to the party but no attention was given to the protest letter.
“Consequently, I will not be participating in today’s governorship primary election.
I make this statement after due consultation with the leadership of the Amazing Grace Campaign team and representatives of my support base.”
