Essien Udim: Gov Eno has taken his suspicious romance with Akpabio, APC too far – PDP Chieftain
A high-ranking member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, whose identity has been kept confidential, has expressed disappointment with the outcome of the chairmanship election in Essien Udim Local Government Area held on Saturday, October 5.
The election results, as announced by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), on Sunday, favored the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to concerns that Governor Umo Eno’s close ties with Akpabio and the APC have become too suspicious.
Tension in the state escalated on Sunday afternoon when AKISIEC declared the APC candidate, Ntiedo Usoro, who polled 686 votes, as the winner in Essien Udim Local Government Area, which is the home turf of Senator Godswill Akpabio.
In an interview with Vanguard, the unnamed PDP Chieftain voiced concerns over Governor Eno’s apparent support for Akpabio and the APC prior to the local government polls.
“He claimed their relationship was based on mutual respect and would not impact the election. Look at the results today. They didn’t even cover their tracks well.
“An election was conducted, and a professor declared the PDP winner. Then AKISIEC overrides the field report and lists the APC as the winner.”
The chieftain added, “Governor Eno needs to explain how this happened to the PDP. He is already seen as having betrayed Udom, who made enemies, including Akpabio, to help him become governor.
“If he needed to negotiate with Tinubu, Akpabio, and the APC, he should have given them his own local government and not sell out Essien Udim. This is just the beginning. Eno is jeopardizing his chances for a second term.”
Initially, Professor Inyang Ating from the University of Uyo, declared Enobong Patrick Friday of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 55,612 votes as the winner during the Essien Udom Local Government election results announcement on Saturday.
However, in a surprising turn of events, AKISIEC Chairman, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, released state-wide results on Sunday declaring Ntiedo Usoro of APC as the elected candidate for Essien Udim LGA, while the PDP purportedly won all other 30 LGAs in the state.
Although specific vote counts were not provided in the AKISIEC announcement, the discrepancy in reported votes has caused confusion and suspicion among residents in Essien Udim local government area.
Additionally, the earlier declared overwhelming victory for PDP’s Enobong Patrick Friday, with 55,612 votes, has added to the controversy surrounding the election results.
Prof. Ating stated in his official results declaration: “I hereby certify that I was the Returning Officer for the election held on the 5th of October 2024. The election was contested, and the candidates received the following votes:
Hon. Ntiedo Usoro of the APC: 686 votes.
Engr. Enobong Patrick Friday of the PDP: 55,612 votes.
“Engr. Enobong Patrick Friday, having complied with the requirements of the law and having scored the majority of votes, is hereby declared elected. He also received more than 25% of the votes in all 13 wards of Essien Udim. I so declare and I hereby sign as the Returning Officer.”
As of this report, the AKISIEC Chairman, who was at the electoral body’s headquarters in Uyo presenting Certificates of Return to the newly elected chairmen, avoided addressing the conflicting results for Essien Udim LGA.
This situation has ignited outrage among PDP leaders in Akwa Ibom, who accuse Governor Umo Eno of betraying the party and his predecessor, Emmanuel Udom, in favor of fostering a closer relationship with Senate President Akpabio.
