By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong
The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital has today dismissed the petition brought before it by Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, the gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressive Party – YPP for the March 18, 2023 governorship election and has affirmed Pastor Umo Bassey Eno of the People Democratic Party -PDP as the duly elected Governor of the State.
The Tribunal dismissed Senator Akpan petition for lacking in merit.
Senator Albert had approached the Tribunal challenging the election of Governor Umo Eno on grounds of academic qualification, praying the tribunal to nullify the election which declared Pastor Umo Eno as Governor.
The Tribunal in a judgement read by the Chairman of the panel Justice Adekunle Adeleye, said the major ground on which the petitioner had anchored its case bordered on a matter that was already decided by the Supreme Court.
The same tribunal had earlier this week dismissed five petitions calling for the nullification and/or disqualification of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno brought before the court by governorship candidates of NNPP, ADC, AA APC, AC on grounds that the petitioners did not show sufficient evidence in their respective cases.
Reacting today on his victory after the verdict of the court on the case Umo Bassey Eno versus Bassey Albert Akpan, Governor Eno called on all the petitioners to join him in the building of Akwa Ibom State
Calling out the petitioners one after the other, Governor Eno said:
“Today, the Elections Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following the earlier dismissal of the petitions brought by the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Governorship Candidate, John James Akpanudoedeghe, Architect Ezekiel Nya Etok, of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Akpan Jeremiah of the Action Alliance, Emem Coffie of the Accord Party, Obong Akan Udofia of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) and today, Distinguished Senator, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, of the Young Progressive Party, (YPP) again unanimously affirmed my victory as the duly elected Governor of our great State”.
“I dedicate this victory to you, the people of Akwa Ibom State, who on March 18th, 2023, came out and massively voted for me to usher in the Golden Era in continuation of the giant strides we have experienced in this State, 36 years after creation”.
Pastor Eno further thanks Nigeria judiciary for safeguarding and consolidating the country’s democracy.
Extending a hand of fellowship to the losing contenders he appealed to the petitioners on this tone:
“As I have always said, politics is over, its time for governance. I call on my brothers, Distinguished Senator John Akpanudoedeghe, Architect Ezekiel Nya-Etok, Obong Akanimo Udofia, Emem Coffie, Akpan Jeremiah and Distinguished Senator Obong Bassey Albert to join me in building a State, founded on shared aspirations for growth, development, unity and brotherhood”.
“I may have been elected on the platform of the PDP, but I am a Governor for all Akwaibomites, irrespective of political labels. That’s what I promised to do, when I put my hands on the Bible on May 29th, 2023 and took my Oath of Office”.
“I urge all Akwaibomites, to keep faith in God who is leading us aright as our State will soon witness a litany of projects across the thirty one Local Government Areas, thus providing jobs for our youths”
“Let us therefore, ARISE, and together, usher in the Golden Era for us all” he submitted
©️Samuel Abasiekong, French & English languages Journalist, Researcher, Public Affairs Analyst.
Here reporting @ 9newsng.com
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