The battle for the Abak federal constituency APC ticket came to a dramatic end on Friday with former Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon Uwem Udoma emerging as the party’s candidate for the Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika federal constituency ticket after a hard fought and keenly contested primary.
He defeated his closest rival and two term lawmaker, Hon Emmanuel Ekon to emerge the party’s flagbearer for the 2019 National Assembly polls. Udoma scored a total of 15,665 to clinch the party’s nomination while Ekon went hone with 481 votes from the three LGA’s.
Udoma defeated Ekon in his native Etim Ekpo LGA, pulling a total of 3,129 to Ekon’s 283 while Imo Imo came a distant third in the area.
In Abak, Udoma’s hometown, the Special Assistant Political Affairs to the NDDC Managing Director scored 7,439 with Imo Imo securing 189 votes while Hon Ekon went home with 55 votes.
Results from Ika LGA shows Udoma scored 5,097, Imo Imo got 122 votes while Ekon got 143 votes.
A combination of the three local government areas that make up Abak federal constituency shows Udoma got the nomination with a total of 15, 665 votes. His closest rival, Hon Ekon got a total of 481 from the three local government area of the constituency while Imo Imo came a distant third with a total of 459 votes.
The results reveals that total number of registered voters stood at 17,196, total number of accredited voters was 16,605 while total number of votes scored by the three aspirants was 16,605.
The primary which was one of the most contentious primary the APC in the state had to contend with. Voters in the constituents were caught between the national directive from the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole who had earlier advocated automatic tickets for serving National Assembly members and President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential proclamation which overruled the party chairman and enjoined party faithfuls across the country to vote for candidates of their choice who they feel are popular more acceptable.
Speaking to newsmen after the primary, Hon Udoma dedicated his victory at the primary to God and his constituents, thanking them for keeping faith in his ability to offer effective and results oriented representation, assuring them that he will work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him and the responsibilities that comes with the mandate.
He congratulated his co-contestants for their gallant effort during the primary, calling on all stakeholders to unite towards ensuring victory for the party come 2019.
