Drama As INEC Concludes Defence In Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Suit

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Thursday, concluded its defence at the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

The commission, however, caused a stir when it tendered a video to show why the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Umana Umana, could not vote on April 11.

While testifying, INEC’s witness No. 27, who also served as Nsit Ubium electoral officer, Austin Nwanna, said based on the Permanent Voter Card, PVC, records, Mr. Umana went to the wrong polling unit on April 11.

Mr. Nwanna explained that while Mr. Umana was registered in Unit 001 in Ward 4, the APC candidate had indicated in his statement that he voted in Ward 3.

The INEC official also said that there was election in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
Mr. Nwanna said having been involved in the distribution of election materials, he was very sure and had witnessed the conduct of election in the council area.

According to him, his functions included the supervision of election and the distribution of election materials, which he said he discharged accordingly.

During cross-examination, Mr. Nwanna was shown Exhibit 321(a), a video clip showing Mr. Umana complaining that there was no election in Nsit Ubium.

Mr. Nwana, however, debunked claims from the video and insisted that election held in majority of units in the area.

When shown Exhibits JJ 1-10, Mr. Nwanna identified a few polling units where there were no elections.

He said there were cancellations of results in seven units out of 88 units in the local government but noted that he visited over 75 units in the council area where elections successfully held.

While admitting that the APC governorship candidate stormed his office to lay complaints about the conduct of the election, he, however, insisted that none of the supervisory officers complained about lack of electoral materials.
When confronted with form EC8E, Mr. Nwanna said he supervised the collation of result, adding that the exercise was concluded at about 3am.

Shortly after Mr. Nwanna had testified, counsel to INEC, Alex Ojiekeme, said the commission is satisfied by the testimonies of the witnesses so far called.

Mr. Ojiekeme noted that INEC had concluded its defence and that the witnesses so called proved there was election in Akwa Ibom State.
The tribunal chairman, Sadiq Umar, therefore, adjourned sitting till October 8.

Justice Umar, however, advised the lawyers to go ahead and prepare their final addresses which he said would be taken at the resumed hearing.