A'Ibom Tribunal Verdict: Etiebet Demands Total Annulment
Don Etiebet, a former petroleum minister, has reacted to the recent verdict of the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
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Despite the Election Petitions Tribunal ordering a re-run governorship election in 18 out of the 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom, Etiebet believes the election was a complete fraud, hence should have been totally cancelled, The Punch reports.
Speaking with journalists in Uyo on Wednesday, November 4, Etiebet disclosed that he and other elders in the state were determined to ensure the All Progressives Congress (APC) returns democracy to the state.
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According to him, the APC had appealed for a total cancellation of the poll, alleging the election was marred by violence and irregularities.
Etiebet said: “We will always stand by the truth in this state. We have to work hard to ensure that this state belongs to all Akwa Ibom people, not to a group of hooligans, cult boys, or thugs.
“We are not going to submit to any intimidation by anybody. Who in this state has not benefitted from me that I should be afraid of?
“We want to return this state to democracy; we want to return this state to a situation where people will come out and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice. Right now, there is no such environment.”
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Governor Udom Emmanuel had been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner in the April 11 governorship election which was alleged to be the most controversial in the history of elections in the country.
It was reported that the election was allegedly marred with violence, harassment of voters, hijacking of election materials and unprecedented rigging which led international and local observers to pass an unanimous verdict that it was a sham and recommend a complete cancellation of the exercise.
According to the APC, there was no election in the state and its candidate, Umana Okon Umana, had to challenge the victory at the tribunal seeking a cancellation of the purported election.
Source: Legit.ng
