Cross River Governorship Poll, Peaceful And Orderly - Imoke

CALABAR, February 26, (THEWILL) - The PDP governorship candidate in the Cross River State election, Senator Liyel Imoke has described Saturday’s election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River State as peaceful and orderly.

Speaking to newsmen at Government Primary School, Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area, after casting his vote, Imoke disclosed that as the leader of the party and chairman of the party’s campaign organization, reports received from other local government areas indicated that the exercise was carried out smoothly as there was no flash point mentioned anywhere across the state.

Imoke noted that he was excited to cast his vote as the electorate reported early for accreditation and waited to cast their votes while some stayed back for the votes to be counted, stressing that his expectation was that the election afforded Cross Riverians opportunity to choose who they want.

He further disclosed that the party’s campaign was all encompassing though principally issues based as the people at different strata across the state were given the chance to speak on what they want to enable them enjoy the impact of government in line with its policy thrust of taking government to those that need it most, stressing that the voting exercise was very democratic.

The wife of the PDP candidate, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke attributed the large turn out by women to the fact that they and children are happy with the numerous intervention programmes instituted by her husband, assuring that Senator Imoke will do what he knows best and can do when he assumes office for the second term.

Member of the House of Representatives representing Abi and Yakurr Federal Constituency, Hon Bassey Eko Ewa, said he was impressed with the election as materials arrived on time and accreditation commenced on time while the election was free and peaceful, adding that his expectation was that Imoke will come back as governor because everybody was talking about him and the massive infrastructural facilities he has put on ground.

Ewa maintained that Imoke had created impact in the state and candidates of other parties canvassed and campaigned for him, adding that he was happy with what Imoke had done in the state during his first term as governor.

On the current security situation in the country, the Legislator who was onetime speaker of the state house of assembly, noted that the Boko Haram activity in the nation was bad and should not be condoned as it is a fallout of democracy and that President Goodluck should demonstrate the will power to tackle it because he knows where it is coming from.

Hon. Eteng Williams who represents, Yakurr 1 constituency in the State House of Assembly, said the exercise went well and was peaceful and commended the people for being orderly.

Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ekama Awara, said the people in her Ikamine polling unit, Itigidi came out in great number and nobody’s name was missing in the voters’ register and described Imoke as an unassuming leader, dynamic, great worker who has endeared himself to many people across the state.

Mrs. Awara said the election in the area went one way because the PDP candidate had no opposition there.

The Chief of Staff, Hon. Alex Egbona while speaking at the Agbara playground, said the turnout of was large and materials arrived on time and there was no cause for alarm, but however, expressed that the area needed more polling units to contend its teeming population.

According to Egbona, the area which currently has two polling units needs 10 units and that an appealed has been made to INEC for additional units.

The Director General, Rural Development Agency (RUDA), Mr. Eko Atu, who had participated in 2011 elections did not find his name in the voters’ register at Government Primary School Itigidi, polling unit, and was therefore disenfranchised.

Atu, who described his experience as disappointing blamed it on negligence and incompetence and urged INEC to address such lapses before the next round of elections.