The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo on Thursday, September 28, dismissed a petition brought by the Akwa Ibom state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Akanimo Udofia, challenging the election of Pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the March 18, elections.
The tribunal, in a unanimous decision, held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of substantial non-compliance with the electoral law in the conduct of the elections.
The tribunal also dismissed the petitioners’ claim that Eno was disqualified from contesting the election on the ground that he presented forged documents to INEC.
The tribunal ruled that the Supreme Court had already determined that Eno was the authentic owner of the WAEC certificates he submitted to INEC.
The tribunal also dismissed the petitioners’ claim that Eno was not qualified to be fielded by the PDP on the ground that he had already contested for the same office in the APC.
During the ruling, the tribunal held that the petitioners, not being members of the PDP, had no basis to challenge who that party fielded and how he emerged as their candidate.
