Chairman of the electoral panel for the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) primary election for Cross River North Senatorial district
by-election, Hon Olorogun Taleb Tebite, has reaffirmed that Dr
Stephen Odey squarely won the primaries which held in Ogoja last
Saturday.
Hon Tebite who doubles as the returning officer for the election
stated this yesterday at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja shortly
after submitting the report of the exercise to the party.
He maintained that the election was unprecedentedly peaceful and very
transparent, adding that the election was witnessed by officials of
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This is one of the most transparent primary elections I have
witnessed. We had six aspirants who were cleared for the election and
three were present for the election namely Jarigbe Agom, Stephen Odey
and Mary Ijji. Election held under a peaceful and transparent
atmosphere and a winner emerged through the process witnessed by INEC
Abuja and INEC Calabar and security agencies”, Tebite explained.
Continuing, he said, “Now there is a victor, others should join him
and build a formidable front for the party ahead of the forthcoming
election”.
Tebite commended the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus for
always promoting a level-playing field for all and sundry, observing
that such gesture was responsible for the peace and stability in the
party.
On his part, the secretary of the electoral panel and electoral
officer for primary election, Mr. Chuks Agwiti said that the exercise
which saw the emergence of Dr Stephen Odey as PDP candidate in the
October 31 by-election was conducted in strict compliance with the
party’s constitution and guidelines.
Chuks Agwiti said, “Flowing from the Electoral Act, all the processes
in law were duly followed. We have evidence of attendance of INEC
representatives, candidates and their agents. Everything is on record.
There is evidence to show that due process was strictly followed in
the conduct of the election. In fact, the election was perfect”.
