Umana bombards A’Ibom gov tribunal with video evidence

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State in the April 11 election, Mr. Umana Umana, testified at the state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, with seven video clips of alleged malpractices in state governorship poll, which is now a subject of litigation.

Umana is challenging the declaration of Governor Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the April governorship election.

The seven video exhibits were shown one after the other to buttress the APC candidate’s petition that the election was marred by irregularities and ballot box snatching.

Among the video clips shown by Umana was where the petitioner addressed newsmen, highlighting the case of election fraud in his polling unit on the day of election.

Another clip showed him having a discussion with the Electoral Officer, who purportedly confirmed that election materials were indeed carted away while expressing a sense of helplessness on the fact that no election could be held in his jurisdiction on the day of election.

The third clip showed a set of people referred to as INEC ad hoc staff in the uniform of the National Youth Service Corps members stamping ballot papers behind INEC office allegedly after the election day.

The fourth video clip showed a man, said to be a PDP local government chairman, presiding over a what was regarded as stamping of ballot papers.

The fifth clip showed a police truck and an Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation bus allegedly used to cart away election materials and intimidate voters, who dispersed while the sixth video showed some thugs allegedly caught with election materials and interviewed by those who stopped them.

The seventh video showed a collation centre and how scores were tallied and written on forms.

Another video clip showed the announcement of results by the Resident Electoral Commissioner on Sunday, April 12, 2015, where the Returning Officer, James Epoke, said “we gave 10,598 votes to Accord Party”.

Under cross-examination by Umana and APC lawyer, Dayo Akinlaja(SAN), the petitioner stated that there were few signs of elections in 11 Local Government Areas, where he would have won if elections actually took place.

The tribunal adjourned sitting to Wednesday, August 26, when forensic experts will be called to testify.