INEC ORDERS RERUN OF AKWA-IBOM GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, has annulled the election in 18 of the state’s 31 Local Government Areas.

Delivering judgment in a petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Umana Umana, yesterday, the tribunal ordered a re-run in the councils.

In the seven-hour judgment, tribunal Chairman Justice Sadiq Umar, held that Umana and APC led credible evidence to prove electoral fraud in the councils.

The petitioners had prayed the tribunal to void the election of Udom Emmanuel  of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), because the poll was marred by irregularities.

The election, they added, did not comply with the Electoral Act.

Holding that the petition succeeded in part, Justice Umar held that the petitioners proved that registered voters were disenfranchised in the councils.

The tribunal was silent on when the re-run should hold and on Emmanuel’s fate, But the Constitution stipulates a re-run should be held within 90 days.