Elder Enefiok Ekefre, a caucus member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has acknowledged that the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel won the last guber election held in the state, Igbere TV reports.
Elder Enefiok who admitted this before the Governorship Elections Tribunal on Tuesday that his party, APC, was defeated by the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party in the election because it flouted suggestions by members to embark on grassroots campaigns before the elections.
“My party (APC) to do grassroots campaign so they can win PDP who has been in power since 1999. They refused, that is why we lost,” Elder Enefiok said.
Igbere TV learnt that Enefiok said that the party governorship, rather than heed his advise for rigorous campaigns, chose to make allusions to federal might.
“Till today at our meetings, they still talk about federal might which I don’t know what they mean”, Ekefre lamented.”Our party didn’t work hard enough to win, that is why we lost, and the results reflect the wishes of the people.”
During Examination by Tayo Oyetibo SAN, Elder Ekefre opened up to the court on the role of the State Caucus as the highest advisory body of the party in the state, tendering his letter of appointment before the tribunal.
He maintained that Mr Nsima Ekere’s decision to now abandon his earlier victory claims, further confirms that APC lost and that there is serious discontent in the caucus.
Absolving INEC of any blame during the election, he said he witnessed a free and fair election devoid of thuggery and any form of violence. I arrived at my polling unit by 9.15am, I saw election materials and INEC officials waited till everybody arrived before it was opened.”
Because of my past experience in politics, I observe that INEC was very transparent in the elections.
On cross examination by J. S. Okutepa,SAN, Counsel to the Petitioner, Elder Ekefre denied knowledge of the number of people accredited saying he was not an electoral officer.
“Are u aware that INEC cancelled election in 245 polling units,” he was again asked.
“I’m not the one who conducted the election so I can’t talk about numbers of those that were accredited”.
“Which Church made you an Elder”, the APC counsel asked again.”
World Missionary Church. I have my certificate which I can tender.”
Two other witnesses, Wilfred Okon from Uruan and Etim Esin from Urueffong Oruko also testified in favour of the PDP as polling unit agents in their respective localities, affirming that their units witnessed credible polls.
The tribunal was thereafter adjourned to resume sitting on Wednesday, Igbere TV reports.
