PDP candidates sweep polls in Akwa Ibom ...as Chris Ekpenyong floors Akpabio

PDP candidates sweep polls in Akwa Ibom ...as Chris Ekpenyong floors Akpabio

BY KENNETH JUDE

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has swept last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Its closest rivals, the All Progressives Congress (APC) were the biggest losers in the contests.

The PDP recorded resounding victories at various levels to cement its place as the dominant party in the state.

The Peoples Democratic Party won in all the 31 local government areas in the presidential election, including Ikot Abasi LGA where the APC governorship candidate in the state, Nsima Ekere, hails from. Akpabio also failed yo deliver Essien Udim for Buhari.

In the race for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial district, Bassey Albert of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated his opponent, Bassey Etim of APC.

OBA, a returning Senator, polled a total votes of 147, 731 to defeat Bafil who scored 60, 930 votes.

Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi of the Peoples Democratic Party upstaged Senator Nelson Effiong in the Eket Senatorial district race.

The former Minister for Lands and Housing scored 122, 412 against her opponent of the All Progressives Congress who polled 44, 053.

In Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district, incumbent Senator and former Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio, lost his reelection bid as he lost out to Engr. Chris Ekpenyong.

In the results declared 

by INEC on Sunday, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong was leading Senator Godswill with over 50, 000 votes having won in right of the ten local government areas that make up the Senatorial district.

Results from Essien Udim, the local government area of APC candidate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, which has been a subject of controversy since Saturday with reports having it that the figures from the area were falsified and inflated was finally announced late Monday evening.

Akpabio secured 67, 487 while Chris Ekpenyong garnered 136, 373 votes to defeat the former governor.

Declaration of result from the area was suspended on Sunday by INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Mike Igini over what he described as noticeable discrepancies.

A breakdown of the result as announced by INEC on Sunday indicated that Senator Godswill Akpabio garnered 12, 228 votes in Ikot Ekpene LGA to defeat Engr. Chris Ekpenyong of PDP who polled 10, 712 votes.

In the other nine LGAs, the PDP candidate won in all. In Obot Akara his local government area, the former deputy governor polled 13,184 votes to Akpabio’s 6,229. Oruk Anam, Ekpenyong 25,123, Akpabio, 10, 534 ; In Etim Ekpo, Ekpenyong polled 26,71 while Akpabio scored 6,603. Ekpenyong also won in Ika with a total of 9,215 while Akpabio got 4,106; In Ukanafun LGA, Ekpenyong scored 26,032 to Akpabio’s 14,452. Same feat was recorded in Ikono where Ekpenyong had 7,951 to Akpabio’s 3,085. It was 13,302 for Ekpenyong in Ini while Akpabio garnered 5,897.

Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke of PDP won the Etinan Federal Constituency race after polling a total of 44,830 to defeat his rival, Dan Akpan of APC who had 15, 800 votes.

In Abak Federal Constituency, former Commissioner of Information in the state, Mr. Aniekan Umanah of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated incumbent, Emmanuel Ekon of the APC. 

In Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Dr. Henry Archibong of the Peoples Democratic Party emerged victorious. 

A breakdown of votes secured by the candidates indicate that Dr. Archibong polled a total of 41, 459 votes to beat Barr. Edet Ikotidem of the All Progressives Congress with 18,638 votes.

In the race for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency seat, Emmanuel Ukpong, popularly known as Macaire, of the Peoples Democratic Party, scored 21,622 to defeat his opponent in the APC, Barr. Edidiong Idiong who polled 7,997.

Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong of the Peoples Democratic Party upstaged his opponent, Emmanuel Akpan of the All Progressives Congress who sought for a third term at the Green Chamber.

Hon. Emmanuel Enyong of the PDP defeated Ekerette Ekpenyong of the APC in the race for Uyo Federal Constituency.

In Oron Federal Constituency, the Peoples Democratic Party, candidate, Hon. Nse Ekpenyong floored Goodwin Antai of the APC.

It was Patrick Ifon of the PDP who coasted to victory against his opponent, Kufre Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress in Eket Federal Constituency.

The PDP candidate polled 61, 580, while his opponent garnered 

11, 263.

Francis Uduyok of the PDP was victorious in Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency against Bernard Udoh of the All Progressives Congress.

In Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Unyime Idem of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated two-term member and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Emmanuel Ukoette.