Akwa Ibom Senatorial Rerun: Akpabio withdraws, Gives Reasons

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs , Godswill Akpabio, has withdrawn from the planned Akwa Ibom North -West senatorial rerun election.

The Minister, who was a former Senate minority leader, disclosed this in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress , Adams Oshiomhole .

He urged the party to write the Independent National Electoral Commission, in line with Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010, and submit a replacement to run in his place.

He said, ” It is on the premise of the foregoing and particularly in line with the provisions of Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010 ( as amended ) that I want to formally and voluntarily withdraw my candidature as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) for the forthcoming Court ordered Re- run Election for the Akwa lbom North – West Senatorial District.

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” It will be inappropriate in the circumstance and pursuant to Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act , 2010 ( as amended ) for the party to immediately communicate this withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission and forward to her the name of another candidate of the party to replace me at the Court ordered Rerun Election for the Akwa lbom North – West Senatorial District.”

Akpabio said he won’ t abandon a critical national assignment placed on him by President Muhammadu Buhari in pursuit of a rerun election, stressing that being Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is a
huge responsibility.

“ I have taken into consideration the critical national assignment bestowed on me by Mr . President which will be of immense importance to Nigerians and in particular the indigenes of the Niger Delta region and have resolved to remain as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to further discharge my contributions and services to our great fatherland”, he said.

Recall that the Court of Appeal had in November, ruled that a rerun election should be held in some parts of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District .

Also recall that Akpabio had challenged the declaration of Senator Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the February 23 rd election .