The immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio has emerged the winner of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC)
Of the total 540 delegates and 512 accredited, Akpabio swept 478 to emerge the winner while his other contenders; Udom Ekpoudom and Sir Joseph Akpan scored three votes and one vote respectively. Eleven (11) votes were, however, declared invalid.
Recall that the former Presidential aspirant had on Monday collapsed his structure to support Ahmed Bola Tinubu who emerged as the Presidential Flag-bearer of the party.
It could also be recalled that the same election was conducted across the 108 wards in the 10 Local Government Areas of the District, with DIG Udom Ekpoudom(Rtd) emerging the winner of the initial nomination exercise.
Setting the tone shortly before the rerun of the primaries in Ikot Ekpene on Thursday night, the Chairman of APC, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mr Stephen Ntukekpo explained that the National Working Committee of the party ordered a rerun due to security infractions in the May 28 exercise.
“There were some infractions in the primaries held about a week ago and I was directed by the National Working Committee 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 used the occasion to introduce Sir Sylvester Okonkwo as Chairman of the National Working Committee for the Senatorial primaries, Mrs Bunmi Moleye as returning Officer and Chief Sunday Ewoleye – Chairman, APC Primaries Appeal Committee.
Addressing the delegates, one of the aspirants, Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo announced his withdrawal from the race, but rather drum support for Sen. Godswill Akpabio.
“Today, he has joined the race. I plead with all my delegates to identify with my father as I return all the delegates to vote for Senator Godswill Akpabio. With that, I have withdrawn my aspiration to the Senatorial seat”. He said
Reacting to his victory Senator Godswill Akpabio appreciated the National Working Committee of the party for the conduct of the primaries and the delegates across the Senatorial district for finding him worthy to represent them in the Nigerian senate.
“May you live long to reap the fruit of your labour, may God Almighty give us the opportunity to empower you. I was the only senator ever to do the kind of empowerment I did; from market to water project, electrification, even road construction, I did all as a senator, and I promise to do more”. He assured.
(New Telegraph)
