B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G: Tribunal Orders Fresh Governorship Election In Akwa Ibom

 The Akwa Ibom State  governorship tribunal has ordered for a rerun of the governorship election in the state.

The Tribunal ordered Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct re-run election in 18 local government areas out of the 31 Local Govt. areas of the state.

While issuing judgment on Wednesday, the tribunal registered dissatisfaction about elections held in all the polling units in the state, but further ruled that the petitioners were unable to demonstrate that card reader alone can be relied upon for accreditation.

The tribunal also ruled that the experts called by the petitioners are not experts as they denied being so, therefore, they cannot express opinion as ordinary witnesses as the Evidence Act does not allow such.

According to the Evidence Act, only expert opinions are admissible.

The tribunal would also hold that voters were disenfranchised in some polling units also stating the fact that elections were inconclusive in Uyo and Ibesikpo Asutan Local government areas.

The tribunal also held that some local government areas did not comply with the provisions of the law.
The date for the re run of the election is however remains undisclosed.