After two days of tension, uncertainty and behind- the- scene maneuvering, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced result of Akwa Ibom Northwest (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district.
Announcing the result on Tuesday at the commission’s office along Udo Udoma Avenue Uyo, the returning officer for last Saturday’s election in the area, Professor Peter Iko Ogban declared the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Engineer Christopher Ekpenyong winner.
Ekpenyong, a former deputy governor, according to Professor Ogban polled a total of 118, 215 votes to beat the incumbent, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress who scored 83, 158 votes.
The returning officer for Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara/Essien Federal constituency, Dr. Daniel Udoh had similarly declared Ekong Nsikan Okon of the PDP winner of the election for the federal constituency, having scored a total number of 29,849 votes.
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Professor Ogban said total registered votes for Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district was 655,525, total accredited votes was 218,493 while the total number of valid votes cast was 202,387. The votes rejected were 7,307.
Agents of both the PDP and APC signed the result.
INEC’s official announcement of the Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district result has finally ended Akpabio’s fight to hold on to the senate seat.
Up to Tuesday morning, result of the senatorial district could not be declared by the INEC due to contentions about Essien Udim, Akpabio’s council area.
The Nation learnt that Akpabio’s last fight to gain victory in last Saturday’s senatorial district election caused so much tension in Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim, resulting in the INEC announcing the result in Uyo instead of Ikot Ekpene.
At the commission’s office in Uyo, along Udo Udoma avenue, there was heavy security presence.
PDP agent for Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district, Dr. Ani Asikpo, expressed satisfaction with outcome of the election, saying it was the true reflection of the wishes of people of the area.
