Senator Bassey Akpan has been declared winner of the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District primary under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Akpan who is the incumbent senator for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District in the National Assembly polled a total of 898 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Usenobong Akpabio with 131 votes. Mr. Ide Owodiong had 36 votes, Mr Ikpe Obong had 18 votes, while Mr. Ubom Umoh had no vote. Two votes were void.
Declaring Akpan winner, Mr Arthur Nwankwo, a member of the National Electoral Committee of the party said, “by the power confirmed on the committee, Bassey Akpan having scored the highest number of votes and having fulfilled the requirements of the electoral law is hereby declared the winner”.
Responding, Senator Bassey Akpan said he was grateful to God, the leader of the party, Governor Udom Emmanuel and the PDP state chairman, Mr Paul Ekpo for their support in the course of the election.
He promised not to disappoint the people of the senatorial district and called on other contestants to join hands with him to win the elections for the party in 2019.
“I promise that I will not disappoint you. I believe it is on the basis of your satisfaction of my performance that you have decided that one good turn deserves another.
“I reaffirm my total commitment towards reciprocating the love you have shown today. I want to assure you that this good work you have demonstrated will surely be rewarded. In this contest, there is no winner, no loser, we are all winners.
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“I want to assure Akwa Ibom North East senatorial district and those that contested with me, I will reach out to everyone to join hands with me to form a formidable team. God has assured us that in the coming election, the PDP will win.
“I accept the outcome of this primaries and I want to assure our political party that I will be a very formidable team in the 2019 election,” he said.
The PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Paul Ekpo said he was pleased with the elections saying he promised the state free and fair elections and that is why he personally conducted and counted the votes.
