The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says the APC cannot replace Godswill Akpabio, who withdrew from the senatorial rerun in Essien Udim senatorial district area of Akwa Ibom state with another candidate
The commission discloses that all parties and candidates that contested the senatorial election during last general poll will be on the ballot for the rerun election in Essien Udim senatorial district.
Festus Okoye, the INEC national commissioner in charge of voter education and publicity, explained that the period for substitution of candidates by political parties had expired.
The re-run in the senatorial district was ordered by the Court of Appeal following a petition by Akpabio challenging the declaration of Senator Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed November 17, 2019 as the last day for substitution and/or withdrawal of candidates by political parties in accordance with Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), Okoye said.