Joe Effiong, Uyo
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that any attempt to change the presidential, Senate and House of Reps election results conducted yesterday in Essien Udim local area of Akwa Ibom State will be staunchly resisted.
A statement issued by the party through its publicity secretary in the state, Ini Ememobong, said: “Since yesterday, there have been several attempts by Senator Godswill Akpabio to change the results of Essien Udim Local Government Area from the mass rejection that the voters served him to a huge number in his favour.
“This move has suffered several setbacks since then. It is common knowledge that all other local government areas in that senatorial district have collated and submitted their results, except Essien Udim and this has been confirmed by our agents.
“However, information reaching us is that Senator Godswill Akpabio accompanied by Ibanga Akpabio, Hon. Emmanuel Akpan, Hon. Nse Ntuen, armed police, soldiers and thugs are currently at the INEC office at Essien Udim. The Electoral Officer, Charles Ibiapuye, we learnt has finally succumbed to pressure emanating from death threats and financial inducement of 200,000 USD and is now filling results sheets for units and wards where elections had been cancelled. They are even going further to change results won by the PDP in favour of the APC.
“It can be recalled that elections in Ekpenyong, Ikpe and Idoro Ikot wards were stalled as materials were hijacked and destroyed by thugs loyal to the senator.
“We are hereby calling on the entire public, INEC and security agencies to note that we will not accept the admission and collation of any result that varies from the returns sent in from the units. We cannot allow Senator Akpabio to continue his inglorious precedence of election malpractice.
“He should simply admit his massive rejection by the people of his senatorial district and head back to the only place where he can go now – home!
“Foreign and domestic observers are hereby invited to note these infractions and report accordingly,” the statement said