The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected Godswill Akpabio as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, recognising Ekpo Udom, a former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police.
This was disclosed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mike Igini who told Daily Trust that INEC would only recognise the winner of the primaries monitored by the commission.
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Recall that Akpabio stepped down for the national leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the party’s presidential primaries on Tuesday, June 7 and 48 hours later he was declared winner of a senatorial primary election conducted on Thursday, June 9.
The Akwa Ibom State APC Chairman, Stephen Ntukekpo, had said he was directed by the ruling party’s national body to conduct a re-run over alleged infractions.
Then results from the fresh primary said Akapbio emerged winner with 478 votes, while DIG Ekpo Udom (rtd), who won the first primary, secured just three votes.
But the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mike Igini, told Daily Trust that INEC would only recognise the winner of the primaries monitored by the commission.
Stating reasons why INEC rejected Akpabio as the party’s candidate Igini said that the commission did not monitor the re-run of APC senatorial primaries, that saw Akpabio emerged winner.
“The primaries were concluded on the 27 of May, so I don’t know what you are talking about. The one that was conducted was monitored by INEC and the report has been submitted to Abuja.
“INEC is not aware of any senatorial primaries conducted on Thursday (June 9) that was monitored by INEC, none,” he stated.
The REC also affirmed that the APC has no governorship candidate in the state.
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