The just concluded primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State to elect aspirants, for the State House of Assembly under the party’s umbrella have been described as successful despite obvious hitches.

Mr. Abu Eyo, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, who disclosed this to correspondents  in an interview at the party’s secretariat in Calabar, said all the 25 seats in the State House of Assembly were contested for and flag bearers emerged to represent the party in the 2011 elections.

However, as at the time of filling this report, materials for the federal constituencies in the state were yet to arrive the party headquarters for the primaries, while those for the three senatorial districts were also shrouded in uncertainties for the primaries the next day.  

Eyo further stated that generally free and peaceful polls were expected for the said primaries, adding that some of the challenges identified in the state primaries have been fully addressed to calm frayed nerves.

A break down from the party secretariat shows that the eight federal constituencies are Obanliku, Obudu and Bekwarra, Ogoja Yala, Boki/Ikom, Etung/Obubra, Yakurr/Abi, Biase/Akamkpa, Odukpani/Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, Akpabuyo/Bakassi.

At the Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency, the incumbent, Hon. Essen Ayi, defeated the Deputy Speaker of the State House, Oqua Edem while Daniel Asaquo (Dasuki) defeated the immediate past chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council, Mr Mattew Olory, in Biase/Akamkpa Federal Contituency.

The primaries in Etung/Obubra was deadlocked as aspirants from Obubra protested the holding of the event in Etung Local Government Headquarters instead of  Obubra, which is a more senior LGA in the state.

Other results were yet to be received as at press time due to the difficult terrain of the state.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke had before the primaries appealed for aspirants and their supporters to conduct themselves in the most peaceful manner, saying that PDP in Cross River is one family.

In  another development, Imoke has described as malicious and unfounded news reports in some national dailies, to the effect he and five other state governors in the country contributed five hundred million naira each  in support of the Goodluck-Sambo Campaign organisation.

Senator Imoke said Nigerians should not be misled into believing such sensational news report which is geared toward creating bad blood and unnecessary distraction among the electorate, who are genuinely warming up to participate actively in the forthcoming round of elections in the country.

The Governor thus called on the authorities to investigate the source of what he called “malicious information”.

He advised journalists and media establishments to continue with its strategic role of moulding opinion than being used for mischief and other parochial sentiments.