Politics

I didn’t lose, the results will be corrected —Akpabio

Published

6 years ago

February 27, 2019

Former Senate Minority Leader , Senator Godswill Akpabio, has promised to challenge his loss in the February 23 National Assembly elections .The Independent National Electoral Commission , on Tuesday , had declared Dr . Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party as winner of the senatorial election in the Ikot – Ekpene Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State .

According to the result declared by the INEC Returning Officer, Prof . Peter Ogbang , Ekpenyong , who is a former deputy governor , scored 118, 215 votes to defeat the incumbent senator , Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress , who secured 83 , 158 votes .

The result was announced at the INEC headquarters in Uyo instead of Ikot -Ekpene because of alleged security threats in the area .

But Akpabio, who spoke on The Verdict , a live programme of Channels Television , on Wednesday , vowed to challenge the collation of the results , adding that he could not lose the election .

The senator said , “ I won . It ’ s a temporary setback. That is why there are processes . For instance , if you feel that you were cheated or there was wrong collation , you have recourse to the courts . I did not fail ; I can ’ t fail .

“ I believe strongly that there must have been some wrong collation somewhere . Those things will be corrected . We have processes in the election . It ’ s from one stage ; we have to do registration , vote and collate .

“ As far as there is a mistake anywhere , you go to the court and get your mandate . My mandate is somewhere waiting for me. My people know that I can ’ t fail elections . ”