Again, Senator Akpabio appears at election petition tribunal
- Senator Godswill Akpabio seems to be fighting his biggest political battle at the moment
- Things may not be going well for the former Akwa Ibom governor in the state's election petition tribunal
- He, however, was present at the tribunal and was also questioned during proceedings
Former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Senator Godswill Akpabo, was again present at the National Assembly election petition tribunal in Uyo, the state capital
During proceedings on Tuesday, June 15, he claimed he won the election, but it turned out from the evidence that one of the prosecution witness 17, Anietie Ekong did not perform a critical process required in any election, which is accreditation.
The respondent's lawyer challenged the witness, letting him know if he was not accredited, it therefore, means that he did not vote, New Telegraph reports.
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“Election result is a function of accreditation which is done through voters register. If he did not go through the proper channel of accreditation, therefore the result he has bandied about was not authentic.
“To be declared a winner, your victory must have been actual votes of electorates after accreditation,” counsel to the 2nd respondent,” Solomon Umoh (SAN) said.
“Where there was no accreditation, you could not have valid votes,” Umoh (SAN) also said during his questioning session with Senator Akpabio.
On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) informed the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state that the figures being bandied by the APC in the Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district election, Senator Godswill Akpabio were fake.
Akpabio, a petitioner who is challenging the victory of Senator Christopher Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had claimed that he scored 61,329 votes in the election, but INEC says the figures were not from the commission.
Counsel to INEC, Robert Emukpoeruo told the court that Akpabio was parading a bogus result and there was no accreditation of voters at the unit he claimed to have voted.
“You did not apply for smart card reader and voters register reports because you know they do not support the bogus votes you parade for Essien Udim,” he said.
Meanwhile, a socio-political group Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM,) has accused the APC of deliberate attempts to delay the trial and distract the winners of the election.
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Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, June 17 in Uyo, the leader of the group, Prince Emmanuel Sam expressed worry over the antics of the opposition party.
He said: “The trial should have been a straight forward process. If you say the election was rigged, that results were misappropriated or there were irregularities, show proof. It is most uncalled for to hire revelers and brass band to disturb the tribunal in session.”
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Source: Legit.ng
