Disagreements over materials distribution, thugs invasion rocks Akwa Ibom APC primary

30.09.2018 19:54

- Thugs have allegedly invaded the APC secretariat ahead of the party's governorship primary in Akwa Ibom

- Some areas in the state capital, Uyo, are also said to have been taken over by the thugs

- The primary is holding in the town on Sunday, September 30

Thugs have allegedly invaded the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat ahead of the party's governorship primary in Akwa Ibom scheduled for Sunday, September 30.

Some areas in the state capital, Uyo, are also said to have been taken over by the thugs, who many suspect are working for one of the governorship aspirants of the party.

The primary election is a straight fight between Senator Akpan Udoedehe and the managing director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Obong Nsima Ekere.

At the state secretariat of the APC, the thugs were seen moving freely around the party office, blocking the entrance gate of the party.

As at 4pm when materials for the party's primary were distributed to different local government areas of the state, the thugs were said to be following the proceedings.

Speaking to journalists, one of the party stalwarts who did not want his name mentioned for fear of being sanction by the party leadership, expressed disappointment over the turn of event.

“We were instructed by the party leadership to be here before 9am, somebody like me, I had to leave the church service to be here.

“I am afraid whether this primary will be successful following series of intimidation and harassment many of us have been subjected to,” he said.

Meanwhile, the governorship primary in the state recorded a major fracas leading to physical altercations between chieftains of the party.

Senator Udoedehe and presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, were said to have had squabbles at the party's secretariat over disagreements on the distribution of materials meant for the primary election.

Speaking to newsmen, Senator Udoedehe said he will resist any attempt to rig the primary, harping that all aspirants be allowed to go to the field to test their popularity as anything short of that will be unacceptable to him.

“They say they are popular. They have been boasting how they will use money to win but I have the people. Let's go to the field and allow the people decide who they want,” he said.

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In another development, the Senate committee chairman on petroleum (downstream), Senator Kabiru Marafa has said that he will participate in the APC governorship primary election in Zamfara state, scheduled for Sunday, September 30.

In a statement sent to NAIJ.com by his media office, the APC senator said he and million of his supporters in across the state are participating based on the assurances that the exercise would be conducted through direct primary mode.

Senator Marafa had earlier hinted that he would not participate in the exercise based on a plan to use the executives in the camp of Governor Abdul Aziz Yari to coordinate the exercise.

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