A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to accept and publish the name of Godswill Akpabio as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akwa Ibom North/West senatorial election.
Recall that INEC had omitted the names of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs from its published lists, saying they did not participate in the primary elections.
INEC, had on July 9, insisted that Bashir Machina and Udom Ekpoudom will run as the APC senatorial candidates for the districts.
However, Justice Emeka Nwite, in a judgment on Thursday, declared INEC’s position illegal.
According to the Judge, INEC couldn’t have rejected Akpabio since his name was sent as the APC candidate.