Akwa Ibom People jubilate over Elections Tribunal verdict

 
People in their thousands trooped to Government House, Uyo to rejoice with Akwa  Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill O. Akpabio over his victory at the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo.

The Tribunal presided over by Justice Adam Onun today struck out the petition brought before it against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on the grounds that the latter failed to file its petition within the stipulated time.

The people armed with palm fronds and banners danced and jubilated over the victory of the Governor at the Tribunal.

Among the early callers were the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, led by their president, Mr. Nse Ube, other socio-cultural groups and stakeholders in the polity, dance troops and brass bands.

The people took to  the streets of Uyo, chanting victory songs and waving their hands in jubilation.

Isaiah Edem, who spoke with our reporter said he was a motor mechanic but was excited that Akpabio had sailed through at the tribunal. "For now, if Udoedehe wants to rule, he should go and rule in his family," he chipped.

Some of the women who chanted songs, said Akpabio was remaining a governor so their children can continue in their free education benefits.

An elated Chief Akpabio, in his response, thanked the Akwa Ibom people for their support to him during the election and throughout the time case was in the tribunal.

Akpabio described the ruling as victory over mischief, victory over criminality, victory over tribalism victory over witchcraft, victory over blackmail and victory over evil propaganda.

He  thanked God for the victory and that God was interested in the development of the state, calling for unity and cooperation among the people despite their dialectal differences