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Akpabio emerges Akwa Ibom North East senatorial candidate

By Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo
11 June 2022   |   3:24 am
The immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district.

Akpabio

The immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district.

The exercise was conducted at the Skill Acquisition Centre, Ikot Ekpene, where Senator Godswill Akpabio polled 478 votes to defeat Retired DIG Udom Ekpo Udom, who polled three votes, while Joseph Akpan, an engineer, had just one vote.

Addressing delegates before the commencement of the primary election last Thursday night, Chairman of APC, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, explained that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party ordered a rerun due to security infractions during the May 28 exercise.

“There were some infractions in the primaries held about a week ago and I was directed by the NWC of our great party to conduct a rerun. We have about three aspirants in this exercise and they are fully aware.”

“They are Sir Joseph Akpan, DIG Udom Ekpoudom, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo and Senator Godswill Akpabio,” he said.

Sir Sylvester Okonkwo was the Chairman of the senatorial primary. While Mrs. Bunmi Moleye was the Returning Officer, Chief Sunday Ewoleye is the Chairman of the Primary Appeal Committee.
 
Before the commencement of voting, a former member House of Representatives, Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, announced his voluntary withdrawal from the race and urged all his supporters to cast their votes for Akpabio, whom he described as his leader and mentor.
 
“Today, he has joined the race. I plead with all my delegates to identify with my father and vote for Senator Godswill Akpabio. With that, I have withdrawn my aspiration to the senatorial seat,” he said. 

Announcing the result of the election, which was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police and other relevant agencies, the Returning Officer, Bunmi, declared that the total registered delegates were 540 but only 512 delegates were accredited, while 11 votes were voided.

Addressing the delegates after the exercise, Akpabio thanked them for coming out in their hundreds to cast their votes for him, assuring them that his return to the Senate in 2023 would bring in more infrastructural development, human capital development as well as youth and women empowerment.

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