The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to treat the withdrawal of Senator Godswill Akpabio from the Akwa North West Senatorial District re-run election in Essien Udim Local Government Area as concession to defeat.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Uyo, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Ini Ememobong, also urged INEC to declare that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no candidate in Essien Udim for the re-run.
Ememobong said Senator Akpabio and the APC cannot substitute his candidacy with another person upon his withdrawal, saying the law only permits a substitution upon the death of a candidate.
He alleged that there were plans by Senator Akpabio to use the judicial process to derail the conduct of the re-run election by instituting court actions to compel INEC to accept his withdrawal.
He stated that the call for the sack of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, was ill-motivated and challenged Akpabio to participate in the election if he feels he can win.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.