Akpabio withdraws suit on judicial review of NASS election in Akwa Ibom

Senator Godswill Akpabio has withdrawn his application from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, seeking a judicial review of the National Assembly election in which he was defeated by Chris Ekpeyong of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in his senatorial district, Ikot Ekpene.

Akpabio noted on Friday that his reason for the withdrawal was to avoid abuse of court processes.

The trial judge, Justice Valentine Ashi of the FCT High Court confirmed the withdrawal of the suit, explaining that the order of stay issued last Friday was not to stop the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) from carrying out its function but to enable an applicant to exercise his rights.

The Judge also explained that he stayed action last week so that all parties in the suit can address the court on whether it had jurisdiction to entertain a post-election matter.

Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, had threatened to challenge the results of the election, arguing that he strongly believe that there must have been something wrong with the collation of results.

Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, a former Deputy Governor in Akwa Ibom State, was declared winner of the senatorial election having polled 118,215 votes to defeat Akpabio who had 83,158 votes.