The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Sen. Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial election.

Declaring Akpabio as the winner of the election, the returning officer, Prof. Anthony Udoh, in the early hours of Monday, said the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs satisfied all conditions to be declared the winner having polled 115,401 votes.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Enoidem, came second with 69,838 votes.

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In his reaction shortly after his declaration as the winner of the senatorial contest, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State thanked the people who trooped out en masse to cast their votes for him, promising to represent them well at the red chamber.

Akpabio said: “I stand before you all this morning to personally and publicly register my appreciation for the show of love and support which led to my victory today.

“I am very grateful because you did not allow your conscience to be bought over even when they brought money from Uyo. You rejected their money and voted for me.

“Serious attempts were made by the state government to truncate this victory just as they did in 2019, but your resolve to protect this mandate has led to this well-deserved victory. I am very grateful and I won’t take this for granted.”

Akpabio also promised his constituents quality representation at the National Assembly.

The Star