The PDP had been declared the winner in the election by the returning officer, Professor Inyang Ating, but AKISIEC later announced the APC candidate as the winner.
The local government election in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom State has raised questions after the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) published results that contradicted those announced by the returning officer.
The PDP had been declared the winner in the election by the returning officer, Professor Inyang Ating, but AKISIEC later announced the APC candidate as the winner.
The election, which took place on Saturday, saw PDP winning in 30 LGAs while the All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed one council.
In Essien Udim LGA, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio’s home area, Enobong Patrick Friday of the PDP was declared the winner by Ating.
Ating, a professor from the University of Uyo and AKISIEC returning officer for the LGA, announced that Friday scored 55,612 votes, while Usoro Ntiedo of the APC managed only 686 votes.
“That Enobong P. Friday of the PDP, having complied with the requirement of the law and scored the majority votes, is hereby declared elected,” Ating stated.
He further explained, “I want to add that Enobong P. Friday, in addition to scoring the majority votes, had more than 25 percent in all the 13 wards of Essien Udim local area.”
Despite this declaration, AKISIEC published Ntiedo’s name as the winner, a move that left many confused.
The result was signed by Aniedi Ikoiwak, AKISIEC chairman, but no explanation was provided for the contradiction.
The unusual development has sparked debate in the state.
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