Uchendu Alexis
The governorship election petitions tribunal in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, has rendered its verdict by dismissing the petition against Pastor Umo Eno’s victory.
The petition, filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Akanimo Udofia, sought to overturn the election of Pastor Eno as the governor of Akwa Ibom State. Pastor Eno, affectionately known as the “Happy Hour” governor, was declared the winner of the March 18 poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Udofia’s petition raised allegations of forged documents submitted to INEC by Pastor Eno, as well as a challenge to the validity of the votes cast in the election. Additionally, Udofia accused the governor of being previously convicted by an Abuja Magistrate Court, which, according to him, rendered him ineligible to run for office.
However, in a unanimous decision in favor of Governor Eno, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to sufficiently prove allegations of substantial non-compliance with electoral laws during the election.
Furthermore, the tribunal clarified that the magistrate court had nullified its earlier conviction of Pastor Eno, effectively nullifying that conviction. Regarding the qualification of the defendant, the tribunal pointed out that the Supreme Court had already established the authenticity of Pastor Eno’s West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) certificates submitted to INEC.
Justice Kadi Usman Sikudu, delivering the lead judgment, emphasized that the petitioners did not present any other individual as the rightful owner of the 1981 WAEC certificate in question.
In a significant move, the tribunal also removed the evidence provided by the petitioner’s subpoenaed witness, an Interpol officer, who had attempted to present a report on the governor’s WAEC results.
On the allegation that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) utilized public office holders, such as Uwem Ekanem, as a collation agent in the Ikot Abasi local government area, the tribunal ruled that Ekanem’s membership on the board of Ibom Power Company did not constitute a political office. Therefore, it was insufficient grounds for disqualifying a candidate.
Ultimately, the court concluded that Akanimo Udofia’s petition lacked merit, as it failed to establish any polling unit with non-compliance with electoral laws during the March 18 Governorship elections.
