The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal has sacked former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio as senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Akwa Ibom North.
This follows the setting aside of the judgment by the Abuja Federal High Court Abuja, which recognized Godswill Akpabio as authentic candidate.
Delivering judgment on behalf of a three-member panel, Justice Danlami Senchi held that Akpabio failed to file a proof of arguments within the time provided by the rules.
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The panel further ruled that Akpabio did not participate in the valid primary of the APC that was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on May 27, 2022.
The said primary election produced Udom Ekpoudom as senatorial candidate for the district under view.
However, a Federal High Court in Abuja had on September 22 asked INEC to reinstate Akpabio as the party’s candidate as he was nominated by the APC in the aftermath of a second primary on June 9.
The lower court had also directed the electoral umpire to accept the former Akwa Ibom governor as the APC flagbearer, adding that the Commission acted illegally by refusing to accept and publish the Akpabio’s name when it was submitted to it by the APC as its candidate.
The new judgment also asked INEC to recognize Udom Ekpoudom as the authentic candidate for Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District.
