Twenty-one governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State on Monday kicked against the emergence of a former Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Udom, as the party’s flag bearer.
The 21 aspirants alleged that the primaries of the party was skewed in favour of Udom.
They alleged that the accreditation of delegates for the primaries was conducted in the private residence of the state Governor, Barrister Godswill Akpabio, who has not hidden his preference of Udom’s candidacy.
The aspirants, in protest, walked out of the Ibom International Stadium, venue of the primaries.
Led by a former Ambassador to Russia and Belarus, Assam Assam, the aspirants said: “All the people who are in this hall were brought from that venue in Akwa Ibom Transport Corporation buses.
“Chapter chairmen of the party were not permitted to identify their people.
“People who were not from their specific local government areas were brought in here to come and vote.
“In fact there were no congresses.
“The lists that were used to ask the people to come and vote were contrived lists.
“We have addressed this area to the panel and gave them the opportunity to address this issue before the commencement of voting.
“They ask us to wait for the outcome of the appeal panel when they come.
“We do not want to create violence in this place and that is why we have decided to walk out this venue to seek redress.”
Udom has however expressed excitement over his emergence as the PDP’s candidate.
He said it was not possible for the 24 aspirants to emerge candidates.
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