Opinion: My position on the judgment by the Akwa Ibom State National Assembly Election Tribunal, By Inibehe Effiong

By Inibehe Effiong

The National and State Houses of Assembly Elections Tribunal for Akwa Ibom State sitting in Abuja today nullified election in 38 polling units in 4 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District. The Tribunal ordered for fresh election in the affected areas.

The Petitioner Hon. Emmanuel Obot of the APC has 21 days within which to appeal the decision. Bassey Albert also has the right to cross appeal against the decision as it affects the 38 polling units.
Pending when the expected appeal(s) are filed and determined Mr. Albert will remain in the Senate by virtue of Section 143 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). The Court of Appeal which is the court of last resort in legislative elections has 60 days from the date an appeal is filed to give judgment.
Since I was not present at the Tribunal when I judgment was read and I have not seen a copy of the judgment, I cannot access the correctness or otherwise of the judgment. However, as someone that comes from Uyo Senatorial District I can say clearly that there is no irregularity that took place in the said 38 polling units that wasn't replicated in other parts of the senatorial district. Bassey Albert himself knows what transpired and how he deployed undemocratic tactics to get to the Senate.
I believe that this decision might not stand appellate scrutiny. The three wisemen of the Court of Appeal may eventually see what the Tribunal did not see and order for fresh election in the entire senatorial district. It is not get over on this case.
There is no cause for alarm.
Mr. Inibehe Effiong is a lawyer and human rights activist