The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom has urged its members to maintain composure amid the controversy surrounding the party’s senatorial nomination of former Niger Delta affairs minister Godswill Akpabio.
The party reiterated that Akpabio will be chosen to represent Ikot Ekpene in the Akwa Ibom North-West in the Senate in 2023.
The former minister entered the campaign for the party’s presidential nomination but abandoned it in favor of a different contender.
Udom Ekpoudom, a former deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), won the Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial primary on May 27 prior to the presidential primary.
Ekperikpe Ekpo won a parallel primary that was also held, but it was later abandoned due to irregularities. According to reports, Akpabio won the competition after a replay on June 8.
Akpabio’s name wasn’t included in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list, nevertheless.
The INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, has urged those who were offended to take the commission’s decision to court.
Iniobong John, the state’s APC media committee chairman, ensured that the former minister will be elected by stating the party’s position in a statement on Saturday.
“There’s absolutely no cause for alarm, nothing to worry about. Reassured that Mr Akpabio will be elected senator for Ikot Ekpene (Akwa Ibom North-West) come 2023,” he said.
