In the face of fierce opposition protests, notably from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decisively won the local government elections in 30 out of 31 councils in Akwa Ibom State.
Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), announced the results of Saturday’s elections on Sunday, revealing that the ruling PDP secured victory in all councils except for Essien Udim LGA, which is the Senate President’s hometown, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) triumphed.
Akpabio, dissatisfied with the PDP’s sweeping victory, reflected on his time as Governor from 2007 to 2015, stating that he never exhibited the blatant disregard for the opposition that current Governor Umo Eno displayed during the recent local government elections.
“When I was Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I oversaw about two elections. I recall one occasion when I flew back into the state and learned there was turmoil surrounding the local government elections. The opposition had rejected the results.
“The then Chairperson of AKISIEC, Gloria Ukpong, assured me that stakeholders would accept the results. I told her to declare for the opposition, and the ANPP won the Championship position in Ini LGA along with other councilorship seats,” he recounted.
Similarly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, a House of Representatives member representing the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency on the Young Peoples Party (YPP) platform, condemned the election and its results as “shambolic.” He alleged that the process was intentionally designed to ensure a predetermined outcome favoring the PDP.
He urged his YPP supporters to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands amid what he deemed polling corruption that marred the contest.
In contrast, his colleague Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh, representing Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo, dismissed the allegations of rigging in favor of the PDP, stating that the party had adequately prepared and campaigned to engage voters, while the opposition, particularly the ruling APC at the national level, had been caught off guard.
