ETIM EFFIONG
The legal adviser Bar Uyobong Jumbo and the Akwa Ibom State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC) Bar Otoabasi Udo, have denied rumours that the party would not field a governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections.
‘We have a valid and subsisting governorship candidate in the Akwa Ibom APC in the person of Obong Akanimo Udofia’, the pair revealed while fielding questions on a phone-in program with a private radio station in Akwa Ibom State, Redemption FM.
The two legal experts referred to party nominee Akan Udofia as “a very capable young man, a very dynamic young man, and a very popular young man who Akwa Ibom populace are very hoping would change the narrative of the people as a vibrant entrepreneur” in their joint statement.
Udo had earlier said: “We have a valid, authentic, and legal candidate, who competed against other candidates, and polled a total of 1,227 to defeat others, although former Senator Ita Enang came in a distant second with 30 votes.”
The candidate’s towering profile was giving some people insomnia, so the publicity secretary said he was utilizing the medium to disabuse the minds of uninformed members of the public. He asked the natives of the State to keep calm and follow the law.
In addition, Jumbo, his colleague, and the state’s legal adviser said that the party has adhered to all requirements and procedures set forth in section 82.1 of the Electoral Acts, reassuring the voters that the primaries scheduled for May 26th, 2022, had not been postponed.
Jumbo swiftly discredited the notion that Udofia had dual membership in the PDP and APC, stating that he had left the PDP to join the APC, where the Party warmly welcomed him back on the basis of his fame and profile.
He urged the entire Akwa Ibom population, both at home and abroad, to cast their votes in large numbers to secure the handover of power that they, in his opinion, have been longing for.
‘I’d want to inform you that the APC has a governor candidate’.
Prof. Chris Ekong, an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor in Akwa Ibom, has disputed Mr Mike Igini’s assertion that the party does not have a candidate for governor in the state.
Ekong stated that the allegations by Igini, in his opinion, are absurd and out of a fairytale.
Speaking to journalists in Uyo on Thursday, Ekong alleged that Igini’s opinions were personal and did not represent those of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He also said that the APC’s national leadership had approved the gubernatorial primary which resulted in Mr. Akan Udofia’s selection as the candidate.
“I am glad to hear that the APC may not have a candidate for governor.
The word “may” in their statement makes it clear that they are only implying, but I want to let you know that the APC has a candidate for governor.