A'Ibom 2015: Gov Udom's Witnesses Dazzle At Tribunal......As Umana Again Seeks Recounting of Ballot Papers

Four witnesses presented by the Counsel to the Akwa Ibom State Governor at the Governorship Elections Tribunal in Abuja on Wednesday affirmed that they voted at the April 11 2015 Governorship elections in the State.

The PDP lead Counsel, Paul Usoro (SAN) making his position clear at the tribunal, stated that his team was determined to prove beyond doubt, that elections took place generally peacefully and people voted in their various units in the state on April 11, 2015.

Those who testified included Mr. Imo Okon, a medical scientist resident in Uyo Local government, Maxwell Ojoko a retired permanent Secretary who resides in Ewet Housing Estate in the State capital, Dr. Godwin Ntukude the State Commissioner for Transport and Pastor Isaiah Abia an Estate developer in Esit Eket Local government.

Attempts by the Counsel to the Petitioner Wale Olanipekan (SAN) to quiz Mr. Imo Asuquo on why the same PDP collation agent could have represented more than one ward in the Local Government collation center was rebuffed by the witness who maintained his stand that his responsibility was restricted to representing his party at his polling unit.

Another witness Maxwell Ojoko, also thrilled the legal luminaries when he maintained his position that he was not a party faithful in any political party but had voted for Mr. Udom Emmanuel of the PDP because he loved his manifesto.

Interestingly, attempts by the APC lead counsel to destabilize DW3 Mr. Godwin Ntukude was to no avail as the Commissioner for Transport firmly stood his grounds that he restricted himself to his unit 009 ward 1 in Uruan LGA and also that the Akwa Ibom Transport Company, AKTC had been leased by the State government to a private operator and its operation was not under his ministry's control.

Earlier the Petitioner Mr Umana Umana through his lawyer Olanipekun had sought the consent of the tribunal for the verification of the ballot materials admitted in the tribunal as exhibit, a move which was swiftly rebuffed by Governor Udom Emmanuel's Counsel Paul Usoro(SAN) who argued that it will amount to another rigorous process of counting.

The Tribunal Judge Justice Sadiq Umar who deferred action on the issue however said that the request can be okayed if the need arises.

The tribunal adjourned proceedings till Thursday September 3, 2015.

The State Chairman of PDP Obong Paul Ekpo led other party faithful including the Speker of the State Assembly Aniekan Uko, Sir Emem Akpabio, some members of the state legislative and executive arm of government, political chieftains and several witnesses.

Engr Ben Ukpong the rattled APC deputy governorship candidate, led the handful of APC faithful to the Court 8 venue of proceedings.

Media Directorate
Akwa Ibom State Divine Mandate