The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal has affirmed the victory of Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18, 2023, election. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, dismissed the election challenge brought forth by Senator Bassey Akpan and the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
The tribunal’s two-and-a-half-hour judgment, in the case with Number EPT/AKW/GOV/01/2023, upheld preliminary objections on jurisdiction and the qualification of the 2nd Respondent (Pastor Umo Eno). The tribunal declared that Pastor Umo Eno was eminently qualified, citing a previous Supreme Court judgment in his favor.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the petitioners, the tribunal accused them of an abuse of judicial process, emphasizing that the matter had already been settled by the Apex Court. The tribunal also ruled that the petitioners lacked the standing to challenge how the PDP conducted its primaries to produce a candidate.
Addressing the allegations related to a 1998 WAEC certificate, the tribunal upheld the authenticity of Pastor Umo Eno’s credentials. The tribunal dismissed claims of a forged WAEC certificate, citing the validation of the certificates by a WAEC official summoned as a witness.
Furthermore, the tribunal discredited the testimonies of witnesses presented by the petitioners, describing them as speculative and based on hearsay. A witness presented by Senator Bassey Akpan, alleged to be a staff of the University of Uyo, was labeled an impostor by the tribunal.
The tribunal also questioned the credibility of a so-called statistician relied upon by the petitioners, ruling that the report was of no probative value.
In summary, the tribunal deemed the petition by Senator Bassey Akpan and the YPP as frivolous and baseless, affirming the validity of Pastor Umo Eno’s election as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Responding to the judgment, the lawyer representing the petitioners, Mr. Tunde Falola, expressed displeasure but acknowledged the right to appeal. Uwemedimo Nwoko (SAN), counsel to the 2nd Respondent, Pastor Umo Eno, anticipated an appeal and emphasized the expected progression of the case to the Court of Appeal and possibly the Supreme Court.
The tribunal’s decision solidifies Pastor Umo Eno’s position as the duly elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State, pending any further legal challenges in higher courts.
