18th July, 2011
The Chairman of Akwa Ibom Electoral Tribunal, Justice Adam Ochume Onu this morning struck out the petition filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, against Governor Godswill Akpabio, on the ground that it is incompetent and not properly filed in accordance with the first schedule of the Electoral Act, 2010.
According to the tribunal, the petition did not meet the requirement for the case to be duly tried as the filing was defective.
The counsel representing Akpabio, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, had argued that the petition filed by the ACN did not follow due process and lacked merit and therefore should be discountenanced by the tribunal.
ACN governorship candidate, Chief Akpan Udoedehe who was represented by Prof. Taiwo Osibajo argued that the case has enough merit to sustain its hearing.
His submission was however rejected by the tribunal.
ACN has indicated its intention to go on appeal and ensure a logical conclusion of the case.
Akpan Udoedehe had approached the tribunal to declare null and void the election of the PDP governorship candidate in the 26 April election, Governor Akpabio, on the ground of irregularities.
—Emma Una/Calabar