BREAKING: Akpabio, Umahi emerge APC senatorial candidates after losing presidential primary

BREAKING: Akpabio, Umahi emerge APC senatorial candidates after losing presidential primary

The immidiate-past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi who both lost to Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention in Abuja have emerged senatorial candidates for Akwa Ibom North West and Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone respectively under the ruling All Progressives Congress APC.

Godswill Akpabio emergence as the senatorial candidate of Akwa Ibom North West was announced by Bunmi Moloye, the returning officer of the Senatorial primary held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council of Akwa Ibom.

According to Moloye, out of 512 accredited delegates, Akpabio polled 478 votes, while DIG EkpoUdom (Rtd.) and Sir Joseph Akpan scored 3 and 1 votes, respectively. 11 votes were voided.

Speaking on Thursday night at the Godswill Akpabio Empowerment Centre in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, where the re-run primary held, Akpabio thanked the people for finding him worthy.

He said; “I thank the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district for finding me worthy to be given another opportunity to represent you in the Nigerian Senate. I recall when you gave me the first mandate in 2015 to 2019, I recall that there is no Senator ever that did the kind of empowerment I did for you.

“I know a lot of projects were done across the ten local government areas, from markets to water projects, to electrification project, to building of classroom blocks,” he stated.

Speaking earlier, the State APC Chairman, Mr Stephen Ntukekpo, said he was directed by the party at the national level to carry out the re-run, and cited infractions in the first primary as the reason for the re-run.

“There was some infractions in the primaries held about a week ago and I was directed by the National Working Committee to carry out a re-run.

“We have about five aspirants in this exercise. They were all informed and are fully aware. The aspirants are Sir Joseph Akpan, DIG Ekpo Udom, Obong Emem Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Senator Godswill Akpabio,” he said.

Though the other aspirants were not available during the exercise, one of them, Obong Emem Ekperikpe Ekpo announced that he was stepping down for Akpabio.

He said, “The first primary took place on May 28th and all of you were there. Today, our Father has joined the race. I, Obong Emem Ekperikpe Ekpo, former member of the House of Representatives, a son of this senatorial district, I plead with all my delegates to identify with our father, and I return all the delegates to vote for him.

“I don’t think we should do anything to undermine the person God has given to us as a leader. The person is Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio. I call all my delegates once again to support him. With that, I have withdrawn my aspiration to the Senatorial seat.”

The five man committee to monitor the primaries was led by the Chairman, Sir Sylvester Okonkwo, Secretary, Alhaji Salisu Isa, and Mrs Bunmi Imole, who was the returning officer, among others, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Similarly, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State emerged the winner of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) rescheduled senatorial primary election for Ebonyi South, on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

According to reports, the rescheduled Ebonyi South APC Senatorial primary election was held at Afikpo North Local Government Council.

It was gathered that his younger brother, Chief Austin Umahi, had earlier  emerged as the winner of the election two weeks ago, before it was rescheduled after Umahi had lost to Tinubu.