2023: Akwa Ibom Voters in Limbo over Guber Candidates With the plethora of court cases against the major governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom State, Etim Etim writes that the people are waiting with bated
With the plethora of court cases against the major governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom State, Etim Etim writes that the people are waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the cases before throwing their weight behind any candidate
Mr. Akanimo Udofia, a wealthy oil industry contractor, was announced the winner of the Akpabio-backed primary. INEC, however, refused to validate the result, stating that it did not monitor the primary as the Electoral Act 2022 directs. A few weeks earlier, this same judge had given a similar order, compelling INEC to recognise Akpabio as APC candidate in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District even though INEC did not monitor his primary and had refused to validate his nomination. Coincidentally, Akpabio is a major backer of Udofia.
He commended the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court for Order 4, Rule 3 of the court practice direction on election matters, which states that parties must file affidavits of non-multiplicity of suits.