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…As PDP Stakeholders Reject Imposition of Ekong Sampson As “Adopted” Candidate
By our Correspondent
A PDP senior stalwart, Elder Udo Sam Umoatan has condemned any form of imposition of candidate to Mkpat Enin local government area.
Addressing stakeholders at one of political meetings in the area, the stalwart observed that all contestants must be given equal right to prove his or her popularity, “we cannot destroy what we has taken pains to build over the years. As long as senate race is concerned and Mkpat Enin local government area is to presenting a candidate, we must give equal opportunity and be fair to all aspirants, these people are all our children, there is no room for a sacred cow in this matter, let us be fair, at least for once in this case”.
The spokespersons from Asong community among them are Francis Attah and Lady Christian John maintained that it will be wrong for the governor to adopt an aspirant without inviting others to tell them his reasons for his choice. They added that any aspirant who is rejected by his people should not be forced on the people for peace to reign in the area, ‘that is democracy’, they concluded.
Speaking to Century Newsfront, another PDP stalwart from Asong who pleaded anonymous noted that all the aspirants are qualified for the top job, only that one person will need be there. He noted that in his community, they have an aspirant who is also qualified in all aspects, he or his people cannot come out and say, this is our son; we have adopted him for the contest, no, we may do internal arrangement for our own but not to affect the system, “from feelers from government House, we are aware that the governor may choose him but since we are yet to hear from the governor, we continue to play the game according to the rule until we receive instructions from the government”.
In his reaction, one of the frontline candidate, Pastor (Dr.) Markfre Ekefre thanked governor Udom Emmanuel for giving them a level playing field and expressed the hope that he will floor other contestant, given his pedigree, antecedents and community service and above all, the fear of God, which according to him, is the beginning of wisdom, “I appreciate the reaction of some of the stakeholder to jettison the idea of imposition of an aspirant for the job, we have bought the form, filled and submitted, let’s go to the filled and test our popularity and at the end of the day, one person will emerge and all of us will be satisfied at the outcome”.
It is on record that in Eket (otherwise known as Akwa Ibom South) Senatorial District that is made up of 12 local government areas as was oned to Ikot Abasi local government area as was further micro-zoned to Mkpat Enin local government area, three certified aspirants from Mkpat Enin of Pastor (Dr.) Markfre Ekefre, Rt. Hon. Ekong Sampson and Barr. Udowa, seasoned and committed PDP members and stalwarts presented themselves, evident in the purchase of the Senate forms, completed and submitted same and warmed up for the Eket Senatorial District race.
