The independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) has said that” it is not aware of any senatorial primaries on Thursday June 9 that was monitired by INEC in which Senator Godswill Akpabio reportedly emerged winner.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini disclosed this to newsmen on Sunday
Igini said the Commission would only recognise the winner of the primaries was concluded on the 27th of May adding that the report has been submitted to Abuja.
Akpabio,a former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress APC reportedly picked the APC ticket to represent Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district in a rerun primary election said to be directed by the National Working Committee of the party.
Reports indicated that Akpabio emerged winner scoring 478 votes to beat his rival, DIG Ekpe Udom (rtd) who polled only 3.
But from the foregoing, DiG Udom EkpoUdom ( rtd) who won the first primary is the INEC recognized Senatorial Candidate of the APC for Akwa Ibom North West.
In the primary conducted on May 27th, DIG EkpoUdom was declared winner by the APC returning officer,Itemuwen Eyo
Current matters gathered on Sunday that there is mounting pressure on the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police to vacate his victory and ambition for Akpabio.
However, EkpoUdom has kicked against such pressure as he slammed the conduct of the rerun declaring Akpabio winne describing it as unconstitutional, deceitful and legally defective.
Speaking through his Campaign organisation, EkpoUdom said he will” under no circumstance ,relinquish,
,withdraw or be substituted no matter the degree of pressure and inducement dangled by anyone”
INEC had also a few days ago announced that the APC does not have a governorship candidate in 2023 election. The Akwa Ibom Chapter of the APC is embroiled in unending crisis birthing different factions one of the factions is led by Akpabio while the immediate past National Secretary of the party, John Akpanudodehe.
Akpanudodehe is currently the gubernatorial candidate of the new NNPP
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