Tension As Akwa Ibom Tribunal Rules Today

There is anxiety in the camps of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja gives its judgement on Thursday, August 20, 2015 (today).

The Tribunal will determine if the APC and its governorship candidate, Umana Umana, can invite additional witnesses and present fresh documents in the prosecution of their petition against the PDP and its candidate in the April 2015 poll, Emmanuel Udom, who is now the governor of the state.

The Tribunal considered three applications from the APC and Umana at the resumption of hearing of the petition; one from the petitioner and two from the PDP.

Counsel to the APC and its candidate, Wole Olanipekun, argued that his client was not bringing fresh evidence, but carrying out the earlier order granted in favour of his client and his party on May 12, which authorised them to inspect the materials used for the April 11 governorship election.

But the governor’s counsel, Paul Usoro, urged the Tribunal to reject the motion on the ground that the petitioner is trying to ambush other parties in the suit.

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Oyeachi Ikpeazu, also argued that the petitioner ought to have included the list of the said witnesses and documents while filing the petition at the inception.

However, Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Sadiq Umar, reserved ruling in the applications to a date yet to be determined.

He ruled that the Tribunal would no longer entertain any other motion except “where it becomes extremely expedient.”