The panel of the Supreme Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja, has upheld the election of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.
The Supreme Court, Wednesday, upheld the outcome of the April 11, 2015, governorship election that brought Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state to power.
A seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court, in a unanimous judgement, vacated the decision of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election in the state.
The apex court, in a lead judgment that was delivered by Justice Cintus Nweze around 9:40pm yesterday, said there was merit in the appeal that was lodged before it by both governor Emmanuel and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court however reserved its reasons for setting aside the judgement of the appellate court till February 15.
“I have invested considerable Judicial time considering arguments on this appeal. It is my view that there is considerable merit in the appellants complaint against the appellate court,” Justice Nweze said.
“I find that the orders by the appellate court must not be and are hereby set aside. In there place, I affirm INEC’s declaration of Udom Emmanuel as the governor of Akwa Ibom state, having won majority vote. Reasons for this judgment will be given on Monday, February 15”.
