The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Akanimo Udofia, has announced the decision of his party to appeal the judgement of the Election Petitions Tribunal.
The three-man panel led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, last week, dismissed the APC candidate’s petition on the grounds that the allegations of substantial noncompliance with the electoral law in the conduct of the elections were not sufficiently proved by the petitioner.
But in a statement issued on Sunday night, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Udofia said the decision of the tribunal regarding the outcome of the March 18, 2023 governorship election was shocking, unjust and unacceptable, adding that the APC in the state was disappointed as to how the “tribunal arrived at those outcomes in the face of glaring evidence of infractions on the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution”.
He said, “On Thursday, 28th September 2023, the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed our Petition filed against the declaration of Pastor Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“Given this judgement, I am guided by an overwhelming sense of social responsibility and commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, good governance and shared prosperity to Akwa Ibom people to issue this statement.
“The decision by the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal regarding the outcome of the March 18, 2023 governorship election is shocking, unjust and unacceptable.
“We are disappointed, and at a loss as to how the Tribunal arrived at those outcomes in the face of glaring evidence of infractions on the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
“I firmly believe that our electoral process should be a reflection of the will of the people, and we must protect and preserve the integrity of that process.
“It is with this commitment to the people of Akwa Ibom State and the principles of democracy that we announce our intention to appeal the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal at the Court of Appeal.”
Udofia, who noted that he would continue to uphold the rule of law and respect for the judiciary, expressed confidence that the appeal would give a fair hearing.
“In our quest to recover our stolen mandate, we will continue to uphold the rule of law, respect the judiciary, and remain steadfast in our belief that justice will ultimately prevail. We have faith in the legal system, and we are confident that our appeal will be given a fair and impartial hearing,” he said.
He called on his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding as he moved forward with the appeal.
