Senatorial Race: Honorably resign or face shameful defeat, warns Etiebet Akpabio.

Sen. Godswill Akpabio, a former Niger Delta Affairs Minister, has been advised to withdraw from the race for the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial seat.

Chief Don Etiebet, a former Minister of Petroleum, issued the warning, noting that Akpabio’s region in Akwa-Ibom State did not produce the candidate for the seat.
He went on to say that if Akpabio continued to insist on running for office, he would be disgraced at the polls because no one would vote for him.
According to Akahi News, Etiebet discussed the issue with reporters over the weekend.
Etiebet defended his position by arguing that Akpabio should be elected to the seat in the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district from Abak 5 federal constituency rather than Ikot Ekpene federal.
As a result, he demanded that Akpabio give DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Retd) the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
Etiebet wrote:“Since 1960, Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency has gone to the Senate three times—Akaninyene Ukpanah, Donald Etiebet, and Bob Ekarika—whereas Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency has gone to the Senate five times—with Akpabio’s family twice in Nsima Akpabio and Godswill Akpabio—while
The Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District is comprised of the four Federal Constituencies of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara, Ini/Ikono, and Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika. It is the considered opinion of all peace-loving people of Annang land that “Brother dey chop, brother no chop
“And that the ticket should be given this time to the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, which has not been to the senate since 1960.”
Etiebet argued that even the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gave its ticket to support the “marginalized” zone out of fairness, which the PDP agrees with.
“Emmanuel Enoidem from Etim Ekpo and Abak Federal Constituency has replaced PDP Senator Christopher Ekpenyong from Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency.
He emphasized, “It is therefore natural justice that DIG Ekpoudom (Retd) should step down for Godswill Akpabio, who has even gone to the Senate once.”
Godswill Akpabio Made The Final List Of Senatorial Candidates Eligible To Contest The 2023 General Election Based On A Court Order, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed approximately two weeks ago.
According to INEC, the court ordered it to display the names of candidates Akpabio, David Umahi, and others that were not previously recognized.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had directed INEC to publish Akpabio’s candidacy for the APC in the 2023 elections for the Akwa Ibom North-West District.
Because it did not monitor the APC primary, which Akpabio claimed to have won, the commission had previously refused to recognize him as a candidate.