The Supreme Court has upheld the election of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.
In a judgement late on Wednesday, the apex court upturned the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which annulled the election of Emmanuel.
The governor had approached the Supreme Court after expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling of the Court of Appeal.
Governor Emmanuel belongs to the Peoples Democratic party, PDP.
The apex court said it would provide full details of the ruling on a February 15.
Shortly before the court verdict was pronounced, supporters of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State had taken over the Ibom Plaza in Uyo, while awaiting the Supreme Court judgment on the governorship election in the state.
The supporters are chanting in support of their party and “celebrating” the end of the Peoples Democratic Party.
They are also hopeful that the Supreme Court would uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal to nullify the governorship election and remove Governor Udom Emmanuel, who was declared winner of the April 11 poll from office.
Emmanuel had challenged the ruling of the appellate court, insisting he won in all 31 LGAs.
The APC candidate, Umana Umana, also appealed against the ruling, seeking a total nullification of the election. But a five-man panel at the Court of Appeal dismissed Emmanuel’s argument, and cancelled the entire election.
The appeal court had said the tribunal was wrong in its refusal to comply with section 179 (2) of the Constitution.
The court said having agreed with the evidence of principal witnesses, video evidence, and evidence from state collation agents, the tribunal should have concluded that there was no collation and that votes were merely allotted.
“The question is, if there was no collation, can there be said to be an election,” the court asked. “Indeed where there was no collation of election, there cannot be said to be an election.”
The tribunal was wrong in failing to nullify the entire election, the court ruled, setting aside the judgement of the tribunal in the 13 LGAs.
“The entire election is hereby nullified. The election that brought Mr. Udom is hereby nullified,” it ruled.
The appeal court then ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct fresh election within 90 days.
That verdict has now been upturned by the Supreme Court, and Mr. Emmanuel can now breathe a sigh of relief.
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