The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared that it does not recognize former Minister of the Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district.
According to INEC, it will only recognize the candidate produced from the party primaries it monitored.
The former Minister of Niger Delta stepped down for the National Leader of the ruling party, Bola Tinubu in the just concluded presidential primary of the party.
Akpabio then went ahead to clinch the senatorial ticket after gathering 478 votes
However, reacting to the development, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Mike Igini said the electoral umpire would only recognise the winner of the primaries monitored by INEC.
According to him, the re-run APC senatorial primaries, where Akpabio emerged winner was not monitored by INEC.
“The primaries was concluded on the 27th of last month, so I don’t know what you are talking about. The one that was conducted was monitored by INEC and the report has been submitted to Abuja.
“INEC is not aware of any senatorial primaries conducted on Thursday (June 9) that was monitored by INEC, none,” he stated.
He added in his submission that the APC has no governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State as the governorship primary where Mr Akanimo Udofia emerged winner was not monitored by INEC.
Native Reporters
Be the first to comment