The Coordinator NUEMEDIA, Imo E. Akpan, has urged all the members and supporters of All Progressive Congress Party at all level to maintain good faith on the recent judgment delivered Thursday by the governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed the Petition filed by the Governorship Candidate of our Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), His Excellency, Obong Nsima Ekere against the election of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
In the wisdom of the three-man Tribunal chaired by Justice AM. Yakubu, the Tribunal upheld the outcome of the Governorship election of March 9, 2019 and affirmed the verdict of INEC which returned Governor Udom Emmanuel as winner of that election.
In its 597-page judgment, the Tribunal held that the Petitioners failed to prove the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) against the Respondents. We salute them for their effort and industry.
The Tribunal curiously also held that the Voters registers which formed a major plank of the Petitioners’ case and which were tendered from the Bar were inadmissible as they amounted to “ambushing” the Respondents contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).
According to Imo Akpan, the Counsel to the Petitioners displayed professionalism and hard work and it is our considered view and prayer that after a review of this lengthy Ruling, the Petitioners in conjunction with Counsel shall explore available options at the appellate rungs of the judicial ladder.
“It is our humble but firm view that this decision, if allowed to stand, would set a negative precedent and inadvertently create a vista and provided a convenient leeway for continuous mischief by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who would continue to frustrate Petitioners while hiding behind a thin finger offered by such judgments.
“It would also amount to indirectly rewarding deviance and contempt of the Orders of the Tribunal by a politically compromised electoral umpire in Akwa Ibom State and elsewhere.
“We however, reiterate our faith in the Judiciary as the last hope of the just and call on all our members and supporters at all levels to keep the faith and remain optimistic.
“This too, shall pass away,” he said.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
