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PDP’s Udom Emmanuel Emerges Governor-elect In Akwa Ibom

There had been speculations that the unexpected defection of Godswill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and a major political influence in the state, would affect Emmanuel's chances at the polls.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Udom Emmanuel, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, winner of the governorship election in the state.

Emmanuel won in 30 out of 31 Local Government Areas in the state.

Nsima Ekere, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won in only Essien Udim LGA.

There had been speculations that the unexpected defection of Godswill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and a major political influence in the state, would affect Emmanuel's chances at the polls.

On August 8, 2018, at a rally which featured a massive crowd, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had officially welcomed Akpabio into its fold.

With Akpabio's defection, there had been claims and counter-claims on just how much weight the former governor's move would bring to bear on the outcome of the election.

However, by February 23, 2019, when Akpabio lost his bid to retain his seat as member of the senate during the national assembly election, it seemed clear that the much-paraded defection would not make much difference after all.

Meanwhile, on March 10, 2019, after final count, Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled a whopping 519,712 votes to defeat Nsima Ekere of the All Progressives Congres (APC), who secured 171,978 votes.