The All Progressives Congress stalwart and senator representing Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district , Godswill Akpabio , on Tuesday described Governor Udom Emmanuel ’ s victory in Saturday ’ s governorship polls as a “ purchased victory which must be reclaimed . ”
The Peoples Democratic Party candidate and re -elected governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel , was , on Sunday , declared the winner of a total 519 , 712 votes to defeat his APC candidate , Nsima Ekere who came behind with 171 , 978 votes .
But speaking with our correspondent on the outcome of the elections in Uyo , Akwa Ibom State, Akapbio said it was too early for Governor Emmanuel to celebrate his victory , adding that the APC would exploit appropriate legal means to retrieve it .
He claimed that the results collated from the fields were different from the ones declared by the returning officers of the various local governments areas of the state , adding that APC won the elections at the polling units but lost at the INEC offices .
“ I was shocked when I saw the figures being brandished on the television .
“ I wondered if it they were the same results we got on the field that they were announcing on the television channels . This shows that Nigeria is in trouble .
“ I want to state categorically that those claiming victory , or those regarded as victors in the last election in Akwa Ibom State on the 9 th of March should regard it as purchased victory . It was money at work . The people ’ s hopes were dashed .
“ So , I want to tell Udom Emmanuel and his Peoples Democratic Party that it is too early to celebrate now . We will use appropriate legal means to reclaim that mandate ” Akpabio said .
Akpabio alleged that his local government, which reportedly gave the APC governorship candidate 74 , 000 votes at the local government collation centres , was reduced to only 60 , 000 in INEC office .
He accused INEC of “ employing PDP members as collation officers , ” stressing that 99 % of the collation officers , especially , those sent to his local government area , were card – carrying PDP members.
“ My prayer is that this is not what would befall Nigeria ; otherwise , democracy is in peril . ”
In reaction , Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner , Mr . Mike Igini , described the election as “ free , fair and credible . ”
He said , “ When we returned to Akwa Ibom one year , six months and 10 days ago , we promised that we were going to deliver integrity – driven electoral process and that all old things must past away
