| Governor Udom Emmanuel |
The governorship election petition tribunal in Akwa Ibom state has fixed September 10 to adopt written addresses in the suit between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its candidate Governor Udom Emmanuel (first and second respondents) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate Nsima Ekere.
The tribunal fixed the date after an intensive defence for days which resulted in the first and second respondents calling 31 witnesses.
While the PDP witnesses affirmed the credibility of the 2019 election won by Emmanuel, the APC and its candidate alleged irregularities in the election and called for a cancellation.
Governor Emmanuel and the PDP on Wednesday closed their case for the third respondent being INEC to open its defence. But INEC said having examined the case before the tribunal from the beginning, it has come to the conclusion that there is nothing whatsoever to prove again by calling additional witnesses, and that the commission has adopted the first and second respondents evidence in the case.
INEC, therefore, closed its case and called on the tribunal to fix a date for adoption of written address, which is expected to happen within one week since the tribunal will close on September 25.
Tribunal chairman Justice A. M Yakubu praised all the lead counsels in the petition for their cooperation and orderly conduct. He also praised the participating lawyers for the roles.