Akpabio emerges as the senatorial candidate for the Akwa Ibom North-West region

 Former Secretary of State for Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio has secured Akwa Ibom North West's senator candidate for the 2023 general election under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC. Bunmi Moleye, the returning officer of the senatorial primaries held Thursday night at Akwa Ibom's Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, announced Akpabio received 478 votes out of the 512 accredited delegates, while DIG EkpoUdom (Rtd.) and Sir Joseph Akpan 3 and 4 scored 1 vote. According to DAILY POST, the nomination took place as early as  May 28 but was cancelled after petitions bordering on security breaches. Addressing the people ahead of the nomination, the party's state leader Sir Stephen Ntukekpo said the party's National Labor Committee yesterday mandated him to rerun the elections, adding that he had duly briefed the candidates concerned about the drill.

"We have about three candidates in this exercise and they were informed about the exercise today and they are: Joseph Akpan, DIG Ekpoudom, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, Godswill Obot Akpabio." However, one of the contenders, Ekperikpe Ekpo, withdrew his aspirations and drummed support for Godswill Akpabio, even as he urged his delegates to elect Akpabio, whom he referred to as his father. “Today, since my father (Akpabio) has joined the race, I am asking all my delegates to identify with him when I return all delegates to vote for Senator Godswill Akpabio. With that, I withdrew my desire for the senator seat,” he said. In response to his victory, Senator Akpabio said, "I thank all the delegates in the Senate district for finding me worthy to represent you in the Senate. "I pray that you all live long to enjoy the fruits of your labour."

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