Sen. Godswill Akpabio has said the nullification of Dr. Chris Ekpenyong’s election as Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District was a victory for democracy.
Ekpenyong had been declared winner of the February 23 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
However, the appellate Court in Calabar on Saturday nullified Ekpenyong’s election and ordered a rerun election in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District within 90 days.
It held that Ekpenyong who contested the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was wrongly declared winner and consequently ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to him.
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The judgment followed an appeal filed by Akpabio challenging the result of the election in his senatorial district.
Reacting to the court verdict, Akpabio thanked his supporters for standing by him, assuring that he would not take their support for granted.
He reacted through a post on his Twitter handle on Saturday which read: “Today’s Appeal Court Judgement is a victory for Democracy. Let me say that, I am grateful to God and my people for always standing by me.
“I will never take your support for granted.”
Akpabio, who contested for the senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and lost had challenged Ekpenyong’s election at the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
However, the Tribunal upheld Ekpenyong’s election.
Not satisfied, Akpabio went on appeal.
