The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Essien Udim LGA, Akwa Ibom, where the Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio hails from, Mr Usoro Ntiedo Effiong, has been declared winner in the October 05 Local Government Elections in the State.
Our correspondent reports that results of the exercise which were announced at about 4:00 pm yesterday at AKISIEC Offices in all the local government areas, showed that the ruling party in the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) swept 30 out of the 31 LGAs in the state.
The chairman of AKISIEC, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak had on Sunday, issued certificates of return to all the Chairman-elects, even as the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 07, 2024.
Speaking during the brief ceremony at AKISIEC Headquarters, Udo Udoma Avenue, Ikoiwak noted that the Saturday exercise was free fair, and credible even as minor issues recorded in some areas had since been sorted out.
However, in a release by the All Progressives Congress, AKISIEC is viewed as being controlled and managed by the State Government, with a perceived and real influence of the electoral umpire.
“And to that extent the obvious result would be tilted in favor of the ruling party in the State. Therefore, what we saw and experienced yesterday was a manifestation of such influence beginning with acute shortages of election materials which disenfranchised quite a number of accredited voters and actions of financial inducements on voters by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State”.
Endorsed by Barr. Otobasi Udo, the State Publicity Secretary of APC, stated that in spite of the seeming anomalies, APC supporters were out to support their candidates on the ballot.
“The Party, ably led by Obong Stephen Leo Ntukekpo, uses this opportunity to express her sincere thanks and appreciation to you all for your tireless, steadfast, unalloyed support and commitment to the Party and assure you that with the Supreme Court judgement that returned full autonomy to the third tier of government, the local government, enshrined in our constitution and the steps taken by the National Assembly to give full effect to the judgement, from the next local government election, all SIECs in charge of local government elections now, would have been dismantled”.
It however congratulates the Chairman-elect of Essien Udim, Mr Usoro Ntiedo Effiong who emerged as winner in the face of serious contest with the ruling party.
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