The
governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State in
the April 11 election, Mr. Umana Umana, testified at the state Governorship
Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, with seven video clips of
alleged malpractices in state governorship poll, which is now a subject of
litigation.
Umana is
challenging the declaration of Governor Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic
Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the
April governorship election.
The seven video
exhibits were shown one after the other to buttress the APC candidate’s
petition that the election was marred by irregularities and ballot box
snatching.
Among the video
clips shown by Umana was where the petitioner addressed newsmen, highlighting
the case of election fraud in his polling unit on the day of election.
Another clip
showed him having a discussion with the Electoral Officer, who purportedly
confirmed that election materials were indeed carted away while expressing a
sense of helplessness on the fact that no election could be held in his
jurisdiction on the day of election.
The third clip
showed a set of people referred to as INEC ad hoc staff in the uniform of the
National Youth Service Corps members stamping ballot papers behind INEC office
allegedly after the election day.
The fourth
video clip showed a man, said to be a PDP local government chairman, presiding
over what was regarded as stamping of ballot papers.
The fifth clip
showed a police truck and an Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation bus
allegedly used to cart away election materials and intimidate voters, who
dispersed while the sixth video showed some thugs allegedly caught with
election materials and interviewed by those who stopped them.
The
seventh video showed a collation centre and how scores were tallied and
written on forms.
Another video
clip showed the announcement of results by the Resident Electoral Commissioner
on Sunday, April 12, 2015, where the Returning Officer, James Epoke, said “we
gave 10,598 votes to Accord Party”.
Under
cross-examination by Umana and APC lawyer, Dayo Akinlaja(SAN), the petitioner
stated that there were few signs of elections in 11 Local Government Areas,
where he would have won if elections actually took place.
The tribunal
adjourned sitting to Wednesday, August 26, when forensic experts will be
called to testify.
Culled from Punch newspaper
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