By Jonathan Ugbal
The chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem has said that his party won the “legitimate vote,” in the February 26th 2022 legislative by-elections for the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency.
Mr. Jude Ngaji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the polls by the returning officer, Dr. John Edor on Sunday morning.
And, hours later, in what seemed a hint that the party will go to the tribunal, Barr. Ikem took to his Facebook page to announce that the PDP will fight to correct the records of the elections, especially after reports of violence and snatching of electoral materials.
The PDP won 12 out of the 21 wards elections were conducted in, at the federal constituency and seven out of the 10 in the other by-elections at Akpabuyo leading to a total of 19 against 12. And, Mr. Ikem said his party’s performance proved PDP was the “party to beat,” and described the victory of the APC as Pyrrhic.
On the victory of the PDP in the Akpabuyo State constituency by-election, he said it was a befitting ‘gift’ to the late lawmaker, Elizabeth Ironbar whose death necessitated the off-season elections and condemned the violence that characterized parts of the election.
His post titled, “Congratulations, PDP Cross River State,” reads in full:
“I hail all of us for a robust performance at yesterday’s by-election. Since 1999 we have not witnessed an election like this in our state and more particularly in our Senatorial district. We have proven ourselves that we are the Party to beat.
“My enthusiasm is not diminished by the declaration of ‘victory’ for a desperate accidental Governor who is on his way out and is struggling to hang onto all strings of power to claim relevance. It is pathetic to watch him deploy so much force against his own people, people who elevated him beyond his own expectations. It is actually understandable.
“The PDP in Cross River State, under my watch, will never indulge in planning of elections that include nefarious activities, recruitment of cultists and using brigandage by state actors to achieve what in the end will be a Pyrrhic victory! Those who do will have their recompense.
“We won the legitimate vote, and we will fight to correct the records, no matter how long it takes. We will fight the fight on principle.
“I bring my Christian faith into politics. We will fight the just cause. Be rest assured that we will leave no stone unturned in search of the victory we won in the field by your legislative votes.
“Let me use the opportunity to congratulate, Hon. Ekeng who won the Akpabuyo state Constituency election. Your victory is as significant as if we had won the House of Representatives election. One additional voice against the opportunism of Gov. Ayade is a voice in the right place at the right time. We couldn’t have given Ma Ironbar a better parting gift. Wherever she is with the angels, I know she is right now smiling down on all of us with pride. I wish you serve with the same zealous enthusiasm for truth that Ma Ironbar epitomized so solemnly.
“You will hear from us more regularly as we match unrepentantly towards 2023! Hold your heads high, for you fought a good fight, and you won the votes and the hearts and minds of your people. In the end, that is what matters! The rest is a matter of TIME!
Once again, congratulations!”
Vena. A. Ikem
Chairman,
PDP,
Cross River State.
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