The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is ready to hold re-run elections in 28 court-ordered constituencies in the country on Saturday, January 25.
These are one Senatorial and 12 Federal constituencies as well as 15 state constituencies.
In Akwa Ibom State, the re-run election will hold in Essien Udim in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District for the election of a Senator, election of a member for Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency and a member to represent Essien Udim State constituency in the state House of Assembly.
Though Akpabio had written to the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC announcing his withdrawal from the race ordered by Court of Appeal in Calabar, Mike Igini, the state INEC commissioner argued that Senator Godswill Akpabio has no locus standi to withdraw from the re-run election.
Anietie Ekong, the Special Assistant on media to Akpabio as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs reiterated that Ekperikpe Ekpo is the APC authentic candidate for the re-run election.
In a swift reaction, INEC in Akwa Ibom in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Abuja, announced the rejection of the nomination forms of one Hon. Ekperikpe Luke Ekpo as the substitute candidate for APC.
A letter signed by Mrs. Rose Anthony for secretary of the commission said the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections had November 17, 2019, as the last date for the substitution and withdrawal of candidates for the 2019 National Assembly elections and the said date had elapsed.
“Consequent upon the above, the commission cannot accede to your request and Sen. Godswill Akpabio remains the candidate of the APC for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District court-ordered re-run election,” the letter submitted.
As the imbroglio on the authentic APC continues, Senator Christopher Ekpenyong, the defendant is leading with commanding votes of more than 38,000 votes.
Meanwhile, Charles Udoh, the state commissioner for Information and Strategy has announced human and vehicular movement for Saturday’s environmental sanitation in the state except in Essien Udim where the re-run will take place from 5 a.m to 5 p.m.
