The race for the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly seat, ascribed to the Uyo State Constituency, is getting hotter by the day.
Over a handful of aspirants have been cleared by the leading party of the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to contest in the primaries.
PDP conducted it’s screening exercise and all aspirants who purchased forms were cleared to stand in the primaries, taking place on Saturday May 7th, 2022.
But the question now is; Who will be the flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party in the general election taking place mid-next year?
Uwemedimo Asuquo (8/10)
He stands a chance of winning the PDP primaries come Saturday, May 7th and the subsequent election to represent Uyo State constituency at the Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly.
The party had earlier zoned the seat to Ikono Clan and the internal zoning, which allows for every part of the clan to have a test of power, also favoured the former Special Assistant to the Governor.
Having worked with the Governor, His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Uwemedimo is vested with the knowledge of governance.
He is from Ward 8, which in its entirety has not produced a house member as compared to its nearby ward, Ward 9. Ward 9 is still in the clan and have already produced a member representing Uyo State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly, Honourable Essien Nkanga.
Having scrutinized other aspirants in the race, he stands a better chance of winning.
Ubokobong Benjamin (7/10)
A lecturer in the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ubokobong Benjamin is second best to win the Party Primaries.
He is from Ward 8 in Ikono clan, Mbiaobong Ikono precisely, and has in him the knowledge of leadership, with an added advantage of being an academia.
He stands a chance at 7/10 of becoming PDP’s flag bearer. Many have sighted him to be a good representation but he falls at second best.
Elder Imoh Okon (5/10)
Many may wonder why this name falls top above many other aspirants, but this is politics and nothing can be overruled.
The immediate-past Chairman, Uyo Local Government Area, stands a better ground than many other aspirants.
Having tasted power as the Chairman of Uyo Local Government, he was given a test score below average.
He was tipped to become the next House Member but his activities and relationship with kingmakers, stakeholders and the Government confined him to be third on this list.
He would have been the best choice but has now fallen to third. He still stands a little chance.
The PDP primaries is a delegate election and Elder Imo Okon has the highest number of delegates among the aspirants contesting.
Should the election be said to be decided on the field he will certainly come top, but the process of elections in Uyo won’t allow him as it maybe decided before the day of the primaries.
The likes of Uwemedimo Umoumoh, Ifiok, Bassey Inwang, were omitted because the odds did not favour them.
As for the likes of Ndanti Ekuh, Barrister Mfon Ben, and others from Ward 9, it is certain that their turn has passed and it’s time for Ward 8 to pick their house member for equity, fairness, justice and for democracy to take its full course.
