Member representing Uyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mike Enyong, has said rather than vilify him, his detractors should roll out drums to celebrate his patriotism and love for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as his involvement in the parallel primary is the only reason the party will be on ballot papers in the state.

Enyong, a two-term member of the National Assembly, in reaction to attacks on him on social media, explained that he opted for a parallel governorship primary, which he won with over 2,000 votes based on his deep understanding of the current Electoral Act and the constitution of the country.

He said: “My adversaries looking for every opportunity to blackmail and tarnish my hard-earned reputation are doing so because they know I have beaten them to their game. I am waiting for July 15 for the people to understand that I am the rightful candidate for the PDP in Akwa Ibom State. Court has asked for status quo ante Bellum in the case brought before it over the fraudulent selection of some people as ad hoc delegates, but they went ahead and used them to pick their preferred aspirant, But I understood the implication of being part of the sham and opted for the primary with statutory delegates with INEC as observer and officials from the national secretariat of our dear party.”

Enyong urged those working against him to desist and pull their energies into his drive to ensure that Akwa Ibom State remained in the grip of PDP beyond 2023.