President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will reclaim its stolen mandate in Akwa Ibom and return Godswill Akpabio to the Senate to represent the good people of Akwa Ibom North-West.
The President who made this known in Uyo at a town hall meeting to thank the people of the state for voting the APC, said “it is not possible” for Akpabio to have lost the election, vowing that the votes of the APC that were stolen in the state would be reclaimed.
Buhari who was represented at the meeting by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, asked the people of the state to defend their votes during the Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.
“What happened on the 23rd of February was robbery. The votes of the people were 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.
“It is not possible that Senator Godwill Akpabio lost. We are in no doubt that Senator Akpabio is the elected senator of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District. I and Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of party, have been in the opposition for long and we cannot be defeated anymore.
“Every one of you should go out to vote on Saturday and defend your votes, we cannot be cheated; not only you, but tell your neighbours to vote for Obong Nsima Ekere and all APC candidates. Wait for your votes to be counted. It is the duty of the Federal Government to provide security and we will do that. We will recover every one of our votes.”
Also speaking, the national chairman said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) colluded with the PDP to shortchange the people.
“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 to 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,” he added.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Chris Ekpenyong of the People’s Democratic Party the winner of the election held on February 23.
