Senator Bassey Akpan boycotts PDP governorship primaries over court order

Ini Billie, Uyo

Senator Bassey Akpan, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District has boycotted the governorship primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State.

Akpan, who is the Chairman of Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, said he was boycotting the exercise in adherence to the court order in suit no FHC/Abj/CS/606/22 between Rt. Hon Friday Iwok & Others and Independent National Electoral Commission and Peoples Democratic Party.

“I feel obliged to request that the party: Obey and comply with the order in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/606/22; Suspend the conduct of the forthcoming primaries in Akwa Ibom State pending when the amended Electoral Act is signed into law by Mr President or until such a time the court would have heard and determined the above suit or in the alternative, explore other options as listed in the Electoral Act to conduct the Governorship Primary in Akwa Ibom State.

“I convey to you my inability to take part in the scheduled primary election until such a time that the illegality mentioned herein is corrected.

“This is by no means a withdrawal of my aspiration from the governorship contest of our great party. I am ready to stand the primary election anytime it is so scheduled in line with acceptable processes and in accordance with the laws of our nation,” he stated.