By Balimwor Ekpe
Mr. Joseph Okoi, an APC Chieftain in Adim Ward, Biase Local Government Area, extends congratulations to Hon. Onun (Dr) Emil Inyang, the party’s candidate, for securing an impressive victory in the weekend’s rerun election.
In his congratulatory message, Okoi emphasized that both the main election and supplementary poll results unequivocally demonstrated that Hon. Onun Emil Inyang, former Council Chairman of Biase Local Government, is the unmistakable choice of the people in the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency.
He observed that the triumph of Hon. Onun Emil Inyang, the former Chairman of the UNICROSS Governing Council Board, leaves no room for doubt regarding his popularity and that of the APC. This extends beyond the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, encompassing the Southern Senatorial District and various other LGAs in the state.
He went on to characterize Onun Emil Inyang as an invaluable statesman and unifier, attributing to him the passion, experience, disposition, and sagacity required to effectively represent the constituents of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency. Okoi expressed gratitude to the people of Akamkpa/Biase for their unwavering support for the APC and the ‘People First’ Governor, as evidenced in the 2023 general elections throughout the state.
Expanding on his remarks, he credited the success of the rerun to the developmental achievements of the Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu-led administration. He emphasized the Governor’s dedicated efforts to fortify the party, ensuring its capability to deliver democratic dividends to the people well into the year 2027.#
While calling on Onun Inyang to excel as a federal lawmaker and continue to justify the huge mandate and trust of the people of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, he lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies, and the people of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency for the peaceful and successful conduct of the supplementary election.
Recall the election petition tribunal had sacked and ordered INEC to retrieve certificate of return from the Member House of Representatives representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency, Dr. Emil Inyang and ordered a re-run in the affected 19 polling Units.
On March 10, 23, INEC announced Inyang winner With 13,998 votes while the petitioner, Hon Austine Aidam garnered 11,194 votes. Labour party came third With a total of 6,4002 votes.
The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos later upheld the decision of the Tribunal on the matter and consequently ordered a supplementary election in the I9 polling Units while it cancelled of 551 and 180 votes from APC and PDP respectively.
