Senator Godswill Akpabio, immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has been declared the All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North West senatorial zone for the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
Bunmi Moloye, returning officer of the senatorial primary which was held in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council of Akwa Ibom State yesterday, announced that there were 512 accredited delegates, out of which Godswill Obot Akpabio polled 478 votes to beat two other contestants.
According to him, one of the aspirants, Ekperikpe Ekpo, withdrew his aspiration and urged his delegates to vote Akpabio, whom he described as his father, while DIG Ekpo Udom (Rtd.) and Sir Joseph Akpan scored 3 and 1 votes respectively.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Sir Ntukekpo Stephen, who addressed the people before the nomination, disclosed that the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party mandated him to conduct a re-run of the primary election, which was held earlier on May 28, but was nullified following petitions bordering on security infractions.
According to him, almost a week ago, a similar exercise was conducted and as State chairman, he received a letter from the National Working Committee, NWC, indicating with strong words that there are some sufficient and profound infractions in the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and therefore mandated the state executive of the party to re-run the same exercise.
He said the NWC further carefully selected a five-man committee led by Sir Sylvester Okonkwo as the chairman.
READ ALSO: 2023: I’ll Perfect The Achievements of Buhari, Akpabio Declares As He Joins Presidential Race
He explained that he duly informed the aspirants concerned, about the exercise; however, DIG Ekpoudom, as well as Sir Joseph Akpan boycotted the primary and have not yet made public the reasons for their action.
Meanwhile, Senator Akpabio, while reacting to his victory, thanked the delegates for finding him worthy to represent them in the Senate.
