Reps Re-run: I’m Confident Of My Victory –PDP Aspirant Abang

 

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By NSAN NDOMA-NEJI, Calabar

An aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party PDP in the yet to be fixed reps Re-run primary election for IKom/Boki, federal constituency, Hon. Abang Pius Besong has given assurance his supporters that the capacity to sweep the poll in the yet to be fixed re-run primary is still intact.

Abang gave the assurance while reacting to insinuations making the rounds in the social media space that he bereft of capacity to win the re-run election and secure the party ticket ahead of 2023 federal constituency reps seat for the constituency.

He stressed that though, re-run election especially with Political opponents who also have large number of supporters isnt a tea party.

He expressed willingness/preparedness to lock horns with any of the aspirants who make themselves available for the yet to be fixed house of reps party Primaries

“Let me first of all thank the PDP for the support, and listening ear that they gave me towards this journey. I thank the party’s hierarchy for accepting to provide opportunity for we the aspirants to test our popularity”. Bissong stated.

Pius Abang Besong
Barr. Attah Ochinke one of the PDP who is also jostling to secure party ticket for Ikom/Boki federal constituency seat on Platform of PDP

Recalled that the leadership of the PDP had in May 23, 2022 conducted its party primaries where party flag bearers for IKom/Boki federal constituency ticket was given to Attah Ochinke to enable him contest final reps election in 2023.

Not satisfied with outcome of the Primaries , one of the aspirants, Hon. Pius Abang Besong headed for the court to seek redress.

The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/ CS/913/22 between Abang Pius Bissong plaintiff, the PDP, Attah Ochinke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission,who were defenders in that suit, ordered nulification of result of outcome of the primary asking the party to conduct a re-run primary.

The Court which sat on in Calabar, on September 16, 2022, in a judgement ruled that a re-run primary election be conducted by the party so that the party can give it’s flag to winner of the re-run primary to enable such candidate contest the 2023 general elections against other Candidates of other parties vying for the reps seat.
According to the judgement delivered, in favour of the plaintiff for proving his case on proponderance of evidence for daring to present issue to the court for determination of the matter.

When asked if the re-run would be conducted as ordered by the court, Ikem said, “Ofcourse we would obey court order. It’s just that our communication with the national had not just happen. I would do that between weekend and early part of next week, before we can understand what they would want us to do.

“I think both parties are ready for the re-run”. The Cross River PDP state Party chairman maintained.
Also Speaking on the Issue, Attah Ochinke who spoke through a telephone discussion, Ochinke said there was no option in the re-run as he is sure of winning the election.
In his remarks, newly deployed Resident Electoral Commissioner REC in Cross River State,Dr. Alaibo Sinikiem Johnson stressed that at a moment he can’t say anything regarding the IKom/Boki re-run stressing that he was yet to stuff some records before dabbing into election.
The new REC stated that issues bordering on re-run primary was nothing but an internal matter INEC would not meddle into stressing that independent National Electoral Commission INEC have nothing to do with such party matter.

The court however, restrained third defendant (INEC) not to recognize or accept any Candidate of the first defendant (PDP), for Ikom/Boki federal constituency federal House of representatives Cross River State who emerged winner of May 23, 2022 flawed primary election until valid re-run is conducted.

In a chat with the PDP State party Chairman, Mr. Venatius Ikem stated that the party would respond on the issue at the appropriate time adding that it hasn’t been long that judgement was given.

“I would communicate with the national body of the party. Until when they finished communicating with us then I can know what to say.

— Kakaaki Reporters