APC candidate, Umana Umana

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday reserved judgment in an appeal against the decision of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Akwa-Ibom.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), and its governorship candidate in the election, Umana O. Umana filed the appeal against the decision of the tribunal which upheld the governorship election in 13 local government councils and ordered re-run in 18 others.

The appellants are asking the court to upturn the decision of the tribunal and order cancellation of the entire election in which Gov. Emmanuel Udom of PDP was declared winner.

The appellate court panel of five justices presided over by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, reserved judgment in the case after exhaustive argument by counsel to parties to the appeal.

Abba-Aji said the date for the delivery of the judgment would be communicated to parties.

Earlier, Counsel to the appellants, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), told the appellate court that the tribunal erred in law by its decision to uphold Udom’s election after cancellation of the results in 18 councils out of 31 councils that make up the state.

Olanipekun said they proved before the tribunal that there was widespread irregularities in the conduct of the April 11 election in the entire state.

He also asked the court to dismiss the preliminary objections raised by the respondents.

In his argument, Damian Dodo (SAN), counsel to the governor, said the appeal was frivolous and lacking in merit.

Dodo argued that the elections in the 13 councils upheld by the tribunal were conducted in accordance with the provisions of the law.

He also asked the court to set aside the decision of the election tribunal which, despite all the evidences they presented, went ahead and nullified elections in the 18 councils.

Dodo prayed the court to dismiss Umana`s appeal and allow the respondents cross-appeal.

Counsel to PDP, Taiwo Oyetibo (SAN), also prayed the court to dismiss the appeal of APC and Umana for lacking in merit.