A’Court quashes PDP lawmaker’s election in Akwa Ibom, orders INEC to issue certificate of return to APC candidate

The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, Cross River, Thursday nullified the victory of Okon Asukwo in the
March 9 House of Assembly election into Mbo State Constituency in Akwa Ibom.

The appellate court declared Effiong Johnson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) to issue him Certificate of Return.

Meanwhile, the PDP in Akwa Ibom has declared that it would accept the court’s verdict in good faith.

The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Barr. Ini Ememobong, said in a statement that since there was ‘no other platform for adjudication on election dispute the outcome must be respected irrespective of where it swings.

He said: “We have been briefed by the State Legal Adviser of our party, Goddy Umoh Esq, on the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the appeal filed in respect of Mbo State Constituency wherein the appellate court allowed the appeal and declared the candidate of the APC, Chief Effiong Johnson as the winner of the elections.

“As a law abiding institution, we respect the judgment, since there is no other avenue of legal adjudication on this matter. The court process is a part of the electoral system and must be respected whether the outcome is favorable or not.”

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