Tribunal upholds Gov. Udom election in A/Ibom

The Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo on Thursday affirmed the victory of Governor Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 9, general elections.

The petitioners, Mr. Nsima Ekere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) filed a petition challenging the result of the March 9 election in which INEC declared the Gov. Udom as the re-elected governor of Akwa Ibom state.

Delivering the judgment, the three-member tribunal headed by Justice A.M. Yakubu, dismissed the case filed by All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Mr. Nsima Ekete, on grounds that the petition lacks merit.

Justice Yakubu held that the petitioners failed to call witnesses in eight local government areas out of the 21 where they claimed to have won.

Consequently, the tribunal discountenanced the documentary evidence that were brought before it and accordingly, declared Gov. Udom as the duly elected governor of the state.

It would be recalled that the petitioners had approached the tribunal, after several amendments of their petition on grounds that the election was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act,

They also argued that Gov. Udom was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election and prayed the tribunal to declare that Gov. Udom did not secure and could not have secured the majority of lawful votes cast at the election.

They further prayed the tribunal to declare that the election was void and invalid due to non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.