CHIEF WHIP WINS REPS NOMINATION
It was one more victory for Chief Ukata Sam Akpan, the member representing Ini Sate Constituency and chief whip, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, when he picked the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, ticket to represent Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives come 2007. In the primaries held recently at the Police Mobile Base, Idoro Road , Uyo, Chief Ukata Akpan polled a total of 467 votes while his closest rival, Mr. Udeme Nanna scored 234 votes. The incumbent, Ms Iquo Inyang received 160 votes. The other aspirants, Ndaeyo Ekanem, could only have three votes while 14 votes were void. A total 878 votes were cast in the primaries which saw Chief Ukata Akpan registered his political superiority over others who he has constantly been referring to as jokers and pretenders to the House of Representatives' seat in Ikono/Ini federal constituency. Chief Ukata Sam Akpan who is currently the chief whip of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, by this development, could be described as one of the most successful politicians in the history of Ikono/Ini politics in particular and Akwa Ibom State at large. Responding to the landmark victory of Chief Akpan, some prominent actors, in Ikono/Ini politics described Chief Ukata Akpan's victory in the primaries as a victory for democracy, maintaining that the people of Ikono/Ini have once again demonstrated through the ballot box their desire for a more focused and effective representation. They noted that with Ukata in the House of Representatives, the next four years will witness unparalleled development in Ikono/Ini federal Constituency since Chief Ukata Akpan started his political journey as a councilor in the then Ikono Local Government Area before he became the first executive chairman of Ini Local Government Area after its creation. His political career received a further boost when in 2003 he beat every opposition to retain his position as honourable member representing Ini State Constituency which he won in 1999. Source: The Pioneer |
