An Abuja High Court has given an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from issuing a Certificate of Return to Chris Ekpenyong based on the February 23, 2019 National Assembly for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
INEC had declared Ekpenyong, a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, winner of the election, against the incumbent, Godswill Akpabio.
According to the result announced by the returning officer, Prof. Peter Oban, Akpabio scored 83,158 votes, while Ekpenyong scored 118,215 votes.
Before the announcement of the election result, Akpabio had petitioned INEC alleging that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, was “considering reversing the announced cancellation of result from Obot Akara.
“It is the law that a pronouncement on a result has been made, only a court of law can reverse such decision. An attempt to reverse same is total illegality,” Akpabio said in the petition dated February 23 and signed by his brother, Ibanga Akpabio, who was the APC senatorial agent for the election.
Breaking: Court restrains INEC from issuing Certificate of Return to Akpabio’s opponent
