After defeating the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the second time at the polls, one-time Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Christopher Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Akwa-Ibom North-West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has been sworn in.
The lawmaker took the oath administered by the Deputy Clerk of the Senate, Musa Abdullahi at about 10:40 am after the adoption of the votes and proceedings for Wednesday, January 29, 2020.
The lawmaker defeated Senator Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the January, 25, 2020 re-run election for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district, held in Essien Udim Local Government Council.
Ekpeyong had defeated Akpabio in the 2019 National Assembly elections, but Akpabio, the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, contested the victory, winning at the Appeal Court, which called for a re-run.
But Akpabio told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that he was no longer interested, having been named a minister by President Muhammadu Buhari. INEC however discountenanced his withdrawal, insisting he could not be replaced on the ballot