Minister for Tourism, Cultural and Orientation, Chief Edem Duke has
scoffed at claims by opposition parties in Cross River State that the
Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state were manipulated
to favour the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP).
The PDP made a clean sweep of all the National Assembly seats in the March
28 electionin the state.
Duke said the party’s victory was not unexpected given that the state has
been a solid ‎PDP state since 1999, with the state recording
impressive growth under the leadership of the party.
He therefore, advised the opposition to stop their delusion, as nobody who
knows the political history of the state, is taking their claims
seriously.
“People understand that the allegation is at variance with the political
environment in the state. So they should not insist on discrediting what
is clearly the will of the people.”It is an aberration to have the kind of
following ‎the PDP has and be accused of election manipulation. The
clean sweep recorded by the party was therefore, not unexpected. It would
have been unexpected had the party not made the clean sweep,” he said.
He maintained that the state has over the years, particularly since the
advent of the Senator Liyel Imoke-led administration become the benchmark
for democracy in the country.
The Minister lauded the governor for ensuring a level playing for every
politician in the state as well as engendering the harmony that exists in
the state.
According to him, “Imoke has been a stickler to every democratic
principle. During the last PDP primaries he created a harmonious,
transparent process.”
He therefore, urged the opposition to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan
by conceding defeat and stop seeking the undermine the peace in the state.