By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom has said that the party would be ready to contest the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District rerun election in Essien Udim local council slated for early next year.
The Appeal Court sitting in Calabar had earlier this month ordered for a rerun of the election in the local council in it’s judgement in the petition brought to it by former Senate Minority Leader Senator Godswill Akpabio of the APC who was defeated by Engr Chris Ekpeyong of the PDP.
State party chairman Chief Paul Ekpo told a press conference yesterday in Uyo that preparations would start in earnest to enable the party sustain the gains and victory it recorded in the first election.
Ekpo charged the party’s ward and chapter officers in Essien Udim to begin to energize its grassroot structures in preparation for the poll in the area.
“For the rerun in Essien Udim Local Government area which will hold for the State and National Assembly, we can assure the world that we are making adequate preparations for the elections.
“We will go to this elections, like we went to the previous, with the name of the Lord and as before, we will win again. Only God saw us through the most turbulent elections in our state’s history and we are more than certain that with HIM at the fore, our victory in all of the rerun elections is sure.
“Very soon we will roll out our campaign timetable which will be vigorously pursued. We charge our ward and chapter officers in Essien Udim to begin to energize our grassroot structures in preparation for our impending roll out.” He said.
The chairman expressed satisfaction that the party was successful in 34 out of the 37 petitions brought against it at the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar from the Election Petition Tribunal for the 2019 National and state elections.
“The Appellate Court has upheld all the Tribunal judgements that were given in our favour, except one and the only judgement that was given by the Tribunal against us has been quashed and re-election ordered.” Ekpo said.
He called on thosewho won the appeal court to ensure that the will and interest of the people are protected and called on
party faithfuls in Mbo to accept the judgement of the court of Appeal reversing the party’s victory at the polls and exhibit political maturity.
“They must ensure that a peaceful political environment is preserved in the best interest of the Akwa Ibom project.” He said.
He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel, the party’s counsel and faithfuls for their selflessness and commitment which were critical to the victories of their candidates.
