The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Godswill Akpabio has filed a petition in Uyo challenging the declaration of Mr. Christopher Ekpenyong of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the February 23 national assembly election held in the state.
Akpabio’s spokesman, Mr. Anietie Ekong who confirmed the development said: “Following the withdrawal of his case filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, which sought to challenge his senate re-election loss, the candidate of APC for the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district in the February 23 election, Akpabio, and his party, have approached the election tribunal sitting in Uyo, to kick-start the legal processes that would lead to the validation of his victory at the polls.”
The former senate minority leader is seeking an order of the tribunal to upturn Ekpenyong’s victory following alleged electoral irregularities which he claimed characterised the said election.
“In the said election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in collaboration with some PDP chieftains in the senatorial district, wrongfully declared Ekpeyong and his party, PDP, winner of the poll, having scored 118,215 as against Akpabio’s 83,158.
“However, incontrovertible result sheets from Akwa Ibom INEC office showed different figures that had Akpabio securing 138,256 votes as against Ekpenyong’s 123,843.
“Dissatisfied with the conduct and outcome of the election, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State and his party vowed to approach the election petition tribunal to ventilate their grievances as well as reclaim their stolen mandate,” said Ekong.
