The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday nullified the April 11 election in 18 out of the 31 Local Government Areas of the state over voters’ disenfranchisement.
The three-member tribunal, presided over by Justice Sadiq Umar, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct re-run election in the affected 18 LGAs.
The tribunal gave the order while delivering judgment in a petition filed by the All Progressives Congress and its candidate in the election, Umana Okon Umana, seeking the nullification of the election of the Governor, Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Some of the affected LGAs in the judgment included Eket, Uyo, Onna, Nsit-Ibom, Nsit-Ubium, Ibimo, Ibeksibo, Nsit-Atai, Etinam and Oron.
Justice Sadiq, who read the judgment, said the tribunal upheld the testimonies of the petitioners’ witnesses that election did not hold in the affected LGAs.
Sadiq said the testimony of one of the witnesses, Don Etiebet, a former member of the PDP Board of Trustees, was convincing and reliable to the effect that election did not hold where he voted.
The judge held that the allegations of irregularities and non-availability of election materials in the affected LGAs were also proved by the petitioners.
Reacting to the decision, counsel to the petitioners, Solomon Umoh (SAN), said the judgment was a victory for democracy.
On his part, counsel to Emmanuel, Paul Usoro (SAN), said they would study the content of the judgment and decide on the next line of action.
It will be recalled that the petitioners had asked the tribunal to nullify the April 11 election on the ground that it was marred by irregularities.
NAN.
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