Appeal court nullifies Akwa Ibom gov’s election

The court of appeal sitting in Abuja has ordered that fresh election be conducted in 18 out of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom state.

Udom Emmanuel, governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 11 election, had approached the court after losing at the tribunal.

Citing irregularities, the tribunal cancelled election in those areas and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct another election.

Emmanuel asked the appellate court to set aside the tribunal’s verdict.

However, in its ruling on Friday, a five-man panel of the court dismissed Emmanuel’s appeal.

Okon Umana, candidate of the All progressives Congress (APC), had filed a petition before the tribunal, challenging the victory of Emmanuel.

The court is still yet to rule on Umana’s appeal against the tribunal’s judgement. He is asking the court to order a fresh election in all the local government areas.