Buhari Says, Akpabio, APC Were Robbed In Akwa Ibom

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the defeat of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the presidential and National Assembly elections in Akwa Ibom State as a robbery.

Speaking to supporters of the party at a town hall meeting in Uyo on Monday, he said that there was no way Senator Godswill Akpabio could have been defeated in an election in the state.

The president was represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the town hall meeting that was meant to prep APC chieftains in the state ahead of this weekend’s governorship and state council elections.

The APC lost all three Senate and ten House of Representatives seats penultimate Saturday.

“What happened on the 23rd of February was robbery. The votes of the people was stolen but we are not deterred. The President sent me to thank you today. We are going to make sure that everything that was stolen on the 23rd February would be restored. 
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“It is not possible that Senator Godwill Akpabio lost out. We are in no doubt that Senator Akpabio is the elected senator of Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district. We were in opposition for 16years.  Now that we are at the centre nobody can cheat us again. We have been cheated for too long.

“Make sure that everyone of you come out to vote on Saturday and then wait to protect your votes. With your vote and commitment we will  win that election and Obong Nsima Ekere will become the next governor of Akwa Ibom state for Obong Nsima candidates. Wait for your votes to be counted.

“It is the duty of the Federal government to provide security and we will do that. But what is important is that you go out to vote. We will recover every one of our votes”

National chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who was also at the town-hall meeting corroborated the president’s assertion as he said that those who stole APC’s votes will not have peace.

“We have not come here to brag that our mandate was stolen last week. We have come to thank you that you voted for President Buhari, and all members of the party. You did your job but some armed robbers in INEC stole your votes.

“You think that those who stole your votes will have peace? We have come to reaffirm our commitment with democracy. We have come to affirm that no robber will go unpunished but when an electoral umpire is corrupt and collude with the opposition, we have the witnesses and we have lawyers to deal with that. 

“On Saturday we are not going to wait for them to steal out votes. We call on Akwa Ibom people to protect their votes. We must maintain our sanity even in this hour of provocation. Those who committed democratic abortion would be brought to book,” he said.

Nsima Ekere, the APC governorship candidate expressed confidence that he would prevail in the election.

“Thank you for what you are doing for APC. The people voted for you. That vote is a revalidation of what the people want. You put Nigeria’s economy back on track. We are here because we have faith in you and Mr President.

“The opposition and INEC have no choice than to give us back our mandate. Whosoever shall attempt to work against the collective will of Akwa Ibom people, we shall collectively resist. We send a message to the electoral umpire and the other party that they must respect the votes of the people, every vote must count. Akwa Ibom people love APC”.

The defeat of the APC has been generally premised on the refusal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Mike Igini to buckle to pressures mounted on him by the APC in the state. Ahead of the election, the APC had mounted a campaign for the removal of Mr. Igini.

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