The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Uyo,
on Thursday, affirmed the victory of Governor Udom
Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party in the
March 9 governorship election in the state.
Nsima Ekere of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) filed a petition challenging the result of the
election in which INEC declared Mr Emmanuel
reelected as the governor of Akwa Ibom.
Delivering judgment, the three-member tribunal
headed by Justice A.M Yakuba, dismissed the case
filed by APC and its candidate, Mr Ekere, on
grounds that the petition lacked merit.
Mr 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 every
documentary evidence that was brought before it.
The tribunal accordingly declared Mr Emmanuel as
duly elected.
NAN reports that the petitioners approached the
tribunal, after several amendments, on grounds that
the election was invalid by reason of non-
compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
They also argued that Mr Emmanuel was not duly
elected by a majority of lawful votes cast at the
election.
Young-po Reporters 