The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-udo, winner of the February 25 House of Representatives election in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State.
Ukpong-udo who is the member representing the Federal Constituency won as the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate to represent the constituency for a second term.
The returning officer for the constituency, Patrick Aderorho, made this declaration at the Constituency Collation office, Friday, May 5, 2023, in the presence of collation agents of political parties and stakeholders.
Announcing the results, Aderoro stated that the YPP candidate polled 19,926 votes to emerge winner, defeating the PDP candidate, Dr. Glory Edet, who scored 15,765 votes.
Following the violence that marred the February 25 elections in Ward 11, Itak in Ikono Local Government Area, the electoral umpire rescheduled supplementary elections in 17 polling units for April 15, 2023.
However, the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Cyril Omorogbe, announced cancellation of the March 15 rerun election due to violence.
After a careful review of the outcome, INEC declared Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-udo as the winner of the election and duly returned elected to represent Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency for a second term in office.
Responding, Rep. Ukpong-udo dedicated his victory to God and the good people of his Constituency, attributing the victory to the Grace of God upon his life and to the faith reposed in him by his people.
He pledged to remain a man of his word by continuing to serve only the interest of Ikono/Ini, above all else.
Umanah drops Tribunal’s case against opposition
Mr. Aniekan Umanah, member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives has decided to drop his case against Mr. Clement Jimbo from the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal.
During the March 18 rerun election, Jimbo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate won the election to stall the second term ambition of Umanah of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In his Facebook post under the title: In winning or setbacks: let’s move forward, Umanah wrote, ‘‘Let me once again thank stakeholders and constituents of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party for the massive support I enjoyed during my reelection bid to the House of Representatives in the just concluded elections.
‘‘Such support and encouragement signposted a validation of your confidence in my effective representation and massive empowerment mantra.’’
According to him, ‘‘As you all know, the outcome of the election, which spilled into supplementary polls according to INEC was shockingly not in our favour after we had won all 23 units and upstaged the outstanding votes.
‘‘I notwithstanding acknowledge the solidarity from our enthusiastic supporters, including those that have volunteered useful and valuable information about irregularities that took place in some areas , particularly the BVAS values against the values on the EC8A in contravention of the Electoral Act 2022 and guidelines for the conduct of the 2023 election.’’
‘‘The loud calls on me to seek judicial redress through the tribunal, as constituted, are very much in order and quite appreciated; especially as it lies within my fundamental right; hence the need to make the following statements:
Hear him, ‘‘Having experienced the distraction of post election litigation in 2019, when my electoral victory was challenged up to the Appeal court, I feel obligated to spare my successor such long, distracting and draining journey around the courts.
‘‘I have always been of the conviction that a society that has on many fronts supported me, be allowed to move forward for meaningful progress . As such having consulted my family, friends, associates and the Aniekanabasi 2023 Campaign Organization, I have decided NOT to contest the outcome of the election, despite screaming irregularities.
‘‘While I look forward to finishing strong on my era-defining representation at the Green Chambers of the National Assembly, let me put on record that the coming days will witness the handing over of several life-touching projects such as skills acquisition centres in Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika; The rehabilitated Abak Township Motor Park complete with Passengers hall, Offices, Male/Female toilets and gate house; inspection of the ongoing construction of 3 nos urban roads and many other projects. which through my representation would better the living conditions of my constituents.
Umanah noted ‘‘I will also before the expiration of my mandate in the 9th National Assembly present a comprehensive Scorecard of my achievements and details of my representation in the last four years, including the number of life touching Bills, Motions and Interventions as well as constituents empowerment and projects I previously facilitated and upcoming ones scheduled for 2023.
‘‘As with every electoral outing, I accept in good faith the outcome of the February 25 and April 15 elections and plead on my teaming supporters to show understanding, sustain their support for the leader of our party in the State, His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmamuel and our incoming Governor, His Excellency, Pst. Umo Eno as I promise to continue working for the development and growth of our Federal Constituency and people in any capacity.
‘‘Let me conclude by reminding us that in life we sometimes have setbacks like we have witnessed and we also learn,’’ he added.
