Retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Udom Ekpoudom, has won the All Progressives Congress ticket for Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District.
Ekpoudom polled 338 votes to emerge the candidate of the APC in the party’s primary which took place on Friday, May 27 at the Government Primary School, Ikot Ekpene.
The state legal adviser of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark Chukwu monitored the primary.
The APC returning officer, Itemuwem Eyo announced the result shortly after the sorting and counting of ballot.
Other contestants such as Joseph Michael Akpan scored 12 votes, and Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Read also: Udom Ekpoudom, Retired DIG, Joins APC
Ekpoudom in his victory remarks thanked APC delegates from the Senatorial district for entrusting him with the mandate to vie for the Senate.
He said, “I am grateful for entrusting me with your mandate. I will not disappoint you when I go to the Senate. I dedicate this victory to God and my APC family.
“I also give credit to security agencies particularly the Nigerian Police for performing their responsibility without insisting on financial gratification.
“Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district shall be well represented if I am elected during the 2023 general elections.’’
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF) has congratulated its quintessential Director General, Rt Hon Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo who Saturday secured the nod of APC faithful of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District as the candidate that would represent them in the Red Chamber come 2023.
At a parallel congress held at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, Ekpo was unanimously elected during the party’s primary to represent the senatorial district.
A press release signed by Joe Iniodu for ADF Media team said ”ADF is overwhelmingly enthused over the emergence of Obong Akan Udofia as the governorship candidate of APC in Akwa Ibom State.
”The emergence of Obong Akan Udofia has given APC a foothold on the polity as its candidate is one whose popularity in the State cuts across party lines and predisposes him as the harbinger of our common hope, common aspiration and common humanity.
”Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum is happy that it has from when Obong Akan Udofia returned to the party of his first love, not shirked in its support for the man whose philanthropic gestures and social investments abound as attestation to his attributes of compassion and empathy.”
According to the release, ”ADF wishes to pledge its continuous partnership and unalloyed support to Obong Udofia having been privileged to know that he holds the key to the prosperity of our dear State.
”For our able DG, we are happy that his proven steadfastness has yielded this high responsibility and that as an ambassador of ADF , the representation would be sufficiently superlative to bring immutable pride to the group.
”With the vivid evocation of the group’s personal entitlement over the DG’s shot at the Senate, ADF wants to place on record that it is willing to work the talk in the spirit of oneness for the realization of the ambition for our DG to serve in that hallowed chamber.
”ADF which has its root in APC shall continue to crusade causes that would enhance the fortunes of APC and deepen democracy in our State and Nation.
”We are indebted in thanks to our GRAND LEADER and the Leader of APC in the State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, for giving the party direction and doing so without sacrifing the tenets of democracy and the party’s constitution.
”ADF urges Akwa Ibom people to discountenance party affiliations and rise in common bond to pray for the GRAND LEADER’s shot at the Nation’s plum job, knowing that when he gets it, the Nation would experience positive transformational change.
”Once again, congratulations to Rt Hon Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo and congratulations to Obong Akan Udofia, the charming and urbane incoming governor of Akwa Ibom State.’’
