As results of the PDP primaries for the House of Assembly in CRS trickle in, www.calitown.com can reveal that pro-government candidates have made a strong showing in a process that has not been without her controversies. Perhaps to demonstrate that Liyel Imoke, state governor is directing the political ship of state, the reality is that those who have received his blessing will constitute an overwhelming majority in CR’s next Legislature if feathers are not ruffled.
In Abi LGA, incumbent House member, John Gaul Leno, swept aside any opposition as he picked all 53 votes at stake to stake claim to another stint in the CRS House of Assembly, just like Stephen Ukpukpen looks set to return to the House, from the Obudu axis, probably the most politically volatile LGA, running into the 2015 polls. Ukpukpen, largely viewed as an Imoke acolyte may be defying the poitical odds against him in a place where he has repeatedly been accused of next to nothing for the people he represents.
London-based Peter Odey emerged from the Ogoja axis, just like former Odukpani council chairman, Bassey Akiba is who Odukpani will look to for representation. The party will field Efa Esua for the Calabar Municipality seat, the same way controversial former Imoke in-house person, Jessy Ejemot, against all odds, emerged from Biase. Ejemot’s emergence is turning heads considering the stormy relationship and startling accusations that flew in the air when Imoke shut him out of the Government House pie.
Fred Osim, one of Imoke’s SAs who resigned recently to pursue this elective position, emerged from Ikom LGA, with incumbent, Agbiji Agbiji, it is believed, refusing to participate in the process. Osim is said to have gottwn the nod ahead of urbane Calabar based lawyer, Okimasi Ojong. Obubra LGA came up with Dr. Eloke and Friday Ogbechi, the same way Hillary Bisong is Boki LGA’s offering. Bisong too resigned recently as an Imoke aide.
Of the two legislators from Yakurr, only Eno Williams got the nod, as Mfawa Ofegobi has certainly parted ways with a third stint in the House. Results from a few other LGAs were still being awaited at press time.
