SAN FRANCISCO, December 11, (THEWILL) – Contrary to a social media report which had erroneously reported otherwise, the Court of Appeal has upheld the election of Chief Godswill Akpabio as Senator representing Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district of the oil rich state.
This was as a three-man panel of judges of the appellate dismissed the appeal brought by the APC candidate in that election, Mathew Okorie challenging the judgment of the election petition tribunal which upheld Akpabio’s election.
Delivering the judgment which was concurred to by the other two judges, Justice Moshood Oredola held that the appellant failed to prove his case against Akpabio.
The APC candidate had prayed the court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal because it was in error, claiming that the election in which Akpabio emerged winner was marred by irregularities and corruption.
Insisting that the immediate past governor of the state was not duly elected, he alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, did not duly nominate Akpabio to contest the March 28 senatorial election, explaining that Akpabio was nominated by the PDP to the contest the election in the northeast and not northwest senatorial district of the state. Okorie consequently asked the court reverse the judgment of the tribunal.
But delivering its ruling, the Court of Appeal observed that PDP had tendered evidence to show that it nominated Akpabio for Akwa Ibom Northeast senatorial district during its National Assembly primary election in error.
It heeded the argument of the party that it was a mere “mistake, and held that the party duly nominated Akpabio after a proper primary election.
The final court for the suit asserted that “The appellant failed to prove his case. This appeal lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed.”
