Supreme Court Upholds Akwa Ibom State Governoship Election

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state.

The seven man panel of Supreme Court delivered the judgement Wednesday evening after resuming its over one hour break few minutes ago.

In the ruling on Wednesday, the court said Governor Emmanuel won the lawfully cast votes, setting aside the earlier ruling of the two lower courts.

Reasons for verdict are to be given on February 15.

The court has been in session since morning hearing the appeal of the Akwa Ibom and Abia governorship election petition.

Earlier in the day, Damien Dodo, SAN the lead counsel to Udom had urged the court to uphold the election of his client because the APC candidate did not tender sufficient evidence to indicate that the gubernatorial election was marred by irregularities as he claimed.

He also argued that the Tribunal relied on the use of card readers to arrive at its decision, contrary to the decisions in some of the recent cases determined by the Supreme Court.

But Wole Olanipekun, the lead counsel to Umana disagreed.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria told the court that his client did not just rely on card readers to prove its case.

The Supreme Court aslo affirms Abia State Gov. Ikpeazu’s election...