Posted by A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and publicize Godswill Akpabio as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district in 2023.
Former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi were each chosen by the APC as candidates for the Yobe North, Akwa Ibom North-West, and Ebonyi South senatorial districts, respectively.
Nevertheless, Lawan, Umahi, and Akpabio allegedly did not make the INEC list.
A different candidate won the party's presidential nomination when the former minister withdrew from the race.
Ekperikpe In a separate primary election that was also held, Ekpo prevailed; however, it was later called off because of irregularities. After a replay on June 8, Akpabio reportedly won the contest.
The INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, addressed the issue with the INEC list and said that if there are any concerns about the validity of primaries in which those candidates participated, the commission is not compelled to publish their names.
In order to seek justice, the APC and Akpabio proceeded to court.
Judge Emeka Nwite ruled on Thursday that INEC had broken the law by refusing to approve and publish Akpabio's name, despite the fact that the APC had named him as one of its candidates.
The judge ruled, “I thus decree that the name of the second plaintiff (Akpabio) be published as the name of the authentic candidate,” by the defendant (INEC).