The Appeal Court in Calabar, Thursday, November 14, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, lNEC, to issue Certificate of Return to the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in Mbo State Constituency of Akwa Ibom.
This was as the appellate court nullified the State Assembly election won by Okon Asukwo, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and declared Effiong Johnson of APC, a winner.
Though the State House of Assembly election was held on Saturday, March 9, 2019, Asukwo declared a winner of the election by INEC was a member of the House of Assembly.
However, PDP in the state in reaction to the ruling, said the party would accept the verdict in good faith.
The PDP State Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, noted that since there was ‘no other avenue of legal adjudication on this matter and the court process being part of the electoral system, the outcome must be respected whether favorable or not!’
The statement reads, “We have been briefed by the State Legal Adviser of our party, Goddy Umoh Esq, on the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the appeal filed in respect of Mbo State Constituency wherein the appellate court allowed the appeal and declared the candidate of the APC, Chief Effiong Johnson as the winner of the elections.
“As a law abiding institution, we respect the judgment, since there is no other avenue of legal adjudication on this matter. The court process is a part of the electoral system and must be respected whether the outcome is favorable or not.”
The PDP, therefore, urged its supporters in Mbo to receive the judgement with maturity and conduct themselves in a peaceful manner.
