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The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal has affirmed the election of Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the validly elected Governor of the state.
The Tribunal headed by Justice Adekunle Adeleye squashed the suit instituted by Senator Bassey Akpan and Young Progressives Party (YPP) which challenged the election of Pastor Eno in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
The two-and-half hour judgement was delivered in a suit Number EPT/AKW/GOV/01/2023 that sought to nullify the election.
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The tribunal upheld the preliminary objections bordering on jurisdiction and non-qualification of the 2nd Respondent, declaring that Pastor Umo Eno was eminently qualified and that the earlier judgement of the Supreme Court in the case filed against him by Mr Akan Ekpe Okon was binding to all human beings, in the world, including the petitioners.
In the unanimous judgement, the panel chairman, Justice Adeleye frowned at the petitioners for abuse of judicial process in resurrecting the matter already buried by the Apex Court.
The tribunal decided that the petitioners lacked the locus to challenge how the 3rd Respondent, PDP conducted its primaries to produce a candidate.
In striking out the accusations of electoral infractions leveled against Hon. Iniobong Robson Nnamso, the tribunal ruled that the said person was not joined as a respondent in the case by the petitioners and any decision taken under such circumstances would amount to lack of a fair hearing.
On another WAEC certificate of 1998, which the petitioners purported to belong to the 2nd Respondent, the Tribunal upheld the objection of the 2nd respondents, that it was a fresh allegation that was not in the main petition and that since the time for amendment of petitions had long elapsed, the petitioners were merely attempting to spring surprises, which run contrary to the provisions of the law.
Delivering judgment on the matter on its merit, the Tribunal further ruled that Pastor Umo Eno did not present a forged WAEC certificate as the WAEC official summoned via a subpoena as PW10, authenticated the certificates.
“WAEC did not disclaim the 1981 and 1983 WAEC certificates. Without a disclaimer by the issuing authority, the certificates remain valid.
“There is no legislation in Nigeria that a person’s name should be arranged on a particular order on a document.
“In the absence of any other person holding claims to the said 1981 and 1983 WAEC certificates, I hold that the certificates belong to the 2nd Respondent.”
“Even the 1st Petitioner himself told the court he was a victim of the same issue as three documents bearing his name tendered as exhibits before the tribunal carried different arrangements of his name, Albert Bassey, Akpan Bassey Albert and Bassey Albert Akpan. This is a case of a pot calling a kettle black,” the tribunal ruled.
The tribunal also dismissed the testimonies of APC wards and local government councils’ collation agents who were paraded as witnesses of the petitioners as their testimonies were speculative and mere heresy.
The tribunal ruled that a witness PW16, one Daniel Edet Akpan presented by Bassey Albert Akpan, as a staff of the University of Uyo, was in fact a liar.
According to the tribunal, the witness claimed to have been admitted as a student of Quantity Survey of the University of Uyo in 1998 and graduated in 2021, spending over 22 years for the course.
The tribunal also wondered how a senior staff of a university, could not know the meaning of CONTISS, could not remember his telephone number, did know his gross salary and take home pay and came to the court with mask and fez cap, an indication that he was hiding something.
Accordingly, the tribunal discountenanced the evidence of the said Daniel Akpan, describing him an impostor, and also dismissed all the exhibits he tendered.
On the report of a so-called statistician (PW17) relied upon by Petitioners, the Tribunal ruled that the report is of no probative value because it was founded on reports of Petitioners’ unit agents who were never called to give evidence on their Reports.
The tribunal also held that the statistician who confessed to having not been involved in any electoral matter before now, also admitted being well paid by the petitioners and as such had obligations to please his clients.
In summarising its decision, the tribunal further adjudged that 2nd Respondent’s witness RW1, Uwem Okoko, tendered all the local government results of the election and none was objected by the petitioner, hence the decision of the tribunal to uphold same.
On the whole, the tribunal dismissed Bassey Albert’s petition as frivolous and baseless and ratified the election of Pastor Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Reacting, a Lawyer to the petitioners (Senator Akpan and YPP) Mr. Tunde Falola said they are displeased with the judgement, stressing, ‘‘Thank God this is not the final Court. We put in our best, but in the wisdom of the tribunal they have given judgement the way it went.
“Like I did indicate that once a party is displeased with the judgement of a Court,it is within it’s constitutional right to test that judgement. The petitioners will test the judgement at the appropriate Court”
On his part, a Counsel to the 2nd Respondent Uwemedimo Nwoko (SAN) said the decision of the Petitioner to appeal the judgement was expected.
“Nobody will do a governorship matter to just end at the Tribunal. Even at the Court of Appeal I don’t even expect whoever wins to end there. There’s a window to go to Supreme Court. And given the issues that are involved, both political and legal issues, it is expected that the Supreme Court should test this judgement,” Nwoko reacted.
Umo Eno dedicates victory to God
Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has reacted to the affirmation of his electoral victory by the governorship tribunal.
In his remarks to various social platforms, Eno wrote ‘‘Today, the Elections Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following the earlier dismissal of the petitions brought by the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Governorship Candidate, John James Akpanudoedeghe, Architect Ezekiel Nya Etok, of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Akpan Jeremiah of the Action Alliance, Emem Coffie of the Accord Party, Obong Akan Udofia of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) and today, Distinguished Senator, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, of the Young Progressive Party, (YPP) again unanimously affirmed my victory as the duly elected Governor of our great State.’’
According to him, ‘‘I dedicate this victory to you, the people of Akwa Ibom State, who on March 18th, 2023, came out and massively voted for me to usher in the Golden Era in continuation of the giant strides we have experienced in this State, 36 years after creation.
‘‘Let me use this opportunity to thank and celebrate the Nigerian judiciary for the patriotic job they are doing to safeguard and consolidate our democracy. My faith in this critical institution remains rock-solid.
‘‘As I have always said, politics is over, its time for governance. I call on my brothers, Distinguished Senator John Akpanudoedeghe, Architect Ezekiel Nya-Etok, Obong Akanimo Udofia, Emem Coffie, Akpan Jeremiah and Distinguished Senator Obong Bassey Albert to join me in building a State, founded on shared aspirations for growth, development, unity and brotherhood.
‘‘I may have been elected on the platform of the PDP, but I am a Governor for all Akwa Ibomites, irrespective of political labels. That’s what I promised to do, when I put my hands on the Bible on May 29th, 2023 and took my Oath of Office.’’
‘‘I urge all Akwa Ibomites, to keep faith in God who is leading us aright as our State will soon witness a litany of projects across the thirty one local government areas, thus providing jobs for our youths
‘‘Let us, therefore, ARISE, and together, usher in the Golden Era for us all!
‘‘God bless Akwa Ibom State, God bless our Judiciary and God bless our dear Nation, Nigeria,’’ the governor added.
