Akwa Ibom Governor Challenges Relocation of Tribunal to Abuja

Tobi Soniyi The newly- sworn in governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has challenged the relocation of the states’ Governorship Election PetitionsTribunal from Uyo to Abuja.

A motion to that effect was brought to the attention of the tribunal yesterday at its first sitting since the tribunal moved to Abuja.

Also before the tribunal is a motion by the All Progressives Congress ( APC) governorship candidate in the election, Umana Umana, asking for the implementation of the tribunal’s earlier order to allow the petitioners access to the election materials.

The petitioner is alleging massive vote rigging and electoral fraud against the declared winner of the election.

Preliminary hearing had commenced in Uyo before the parties were informed that the tribunal had been relocated to Abuja, a move the respondents are challenging and calling to question the jurisdiction of the proceedings taking place in Abuja.

Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, led the petitioners legal team.

Hearing on both motions has been adjourned till Monday June 22.

The tribunal will also on Monday rule on whether to reverse the relocation of two senatorial election petitions back to Uyo.

Meanwhile the tribunal chairman, Justice Abubakar Umar, has re - affirmed the tribunal’s commitment to be fair to all the parties and to ensure t h a t j u s t i c e is done.

FELIX ADEMOLA L-R: Widows, Alhaja Funso Alao; Alhaja Bashirat Alao; and his younger brother, Alhaji Abubakar Alao, at the firrst year Fidau prayer for the late Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao held at Aare Arisekola Villa, Oluwo Kekere, Bashorun in Ibadan...yesterday