COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED ON THURSDAY, 11TH FEBRUARY 2016 AT THE END OF A ONE - DAY MEETING OF THE ELDERS, MEMBERS AND STAKEHOLDERS OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) IN UYO ON THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT ON THE AKWA IBOM GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITION

The elders, members and stakeholders of APC in Akwa Ibom State met in Uyo on Thursday 11th February 2016 to review the tainted and objectionable judgement of the Supreme Court on the Akwa Ibom State election petition appeal delivered on Wednesday 3rd February 2016.
We want to put on record our utter rejection of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the PDP appeal against the victory of the APC at the Court of Appeal in the state governorship election petition. We believe that the judgment of the Supreme Court is devoid of reason, logic and depth. The Supreme Court judgment is a dangerous act of political advocacy that completely ignores the uncontested and overwhelming evidence of the petitioners (Umana Okon Umana and APC) at the Tribunal which had held that the petitioner had proved that there was no valid election in 18 of the 31 location government areas in the state.

The Supreme Court equally rejected the findings of the Court of Appeal that established, based on over 340 documentary evidences and 50 witnesses, that there was no valid governorship election in all of the 31 LGAs in Akwa Ibom State on 11 April 2015.

Some of the evidences tendered by the Petitioners, on which the Tribunal and Appeal Court based their decisions include: Mutilation of ballot papers and result sheets; Lack of collation; over voting; Signing of multiple result sheets by one agent and result sheets signed by people who were not agents. In      addition to these evidences, our  had candidate and party had also tendered the reports of the United States Embassy; European Union; Nigerian Civil Society organisations, Nigerian Security & CIVIL Defence Corp and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) which stated that the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State was marred by widespread irregularities and violence.

Alluding to these evidences of violence and irregularities, the Hon. Justice OLUDOTUN ADEBOLA ADEFOPE-OKOJIE, in her lead judgment at the Court of Appeal had stated emphatically: ‘I chip in a word of warning. May this country never again experience the violence and thuggery found to have taken place in Akwa Ibom State during the Governorship election held on 11th April 2015. Politics should never be so desperate that lives and decorum are sacrificed on the altar of winning at all costs. The descent into almost anarchy as occurred in this case must never again be allowed to take place. The supervising body, INEC, is charged at all times to remain on the side of truth and never be complicit in any subversion of due process.’

We recall that the case of signing of result sheets in many wards by one person was also well established by the Court of Appeal based on evidence. In Mkpat Enin Local Government Area for instance, one Barr Jerry Akpan signed the result sheets in all the 14 wards of the local government area. As rightly held by the Court of Appeal, Jerry Akpan couldn’t have been at all the wards simultaneously to sign these documents, a clear evidence that there was no collation at the wards, as we had also presented unchallenged evidence that there was no collation at the state level.

In the light of the facts of our case and the overwhelming evidence as upheld by both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, we find the judgment of the Supreme Court to be weird, arbitrary and an inexplicable endorsement of violence and electoral fraud that was procured by the use of state power and resources for evil ends.

We find it strange but instructive that on the judgment day, as soon as the Justices of the Supreme Court retired to their chamber to consider their judgment, the Senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is also the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, arrived obviously on cue at 8pm with a large contingent of praise singers, and proceeded to address PDP supporters within the court premises, telling them that ‘it was all over.’ With the shout of his supporters renting the air, Akpabio caused quite a stir as he swept into the courtroom in a frenzy of banters with PDP and Udom Emmanuel’s lawyers whom he equally assured by repeatedly stating: “It is all over.” It was a display that totally called into question the integrity of the Supreme Court and vitiated its judgment on the Akwa Ibom governorship election petition appeal.

Another unassailable evidence of the fraud that characterised the April 11 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State is that Udom Emmanuel who was declared winner of the election had no explanation on how 437,128 accredited voters by Card Readers or 448, 307 accredited voters by Voter’s Register could validly produce 1, 122, 836 votes purportedly cast in the election, 996,071 of which were declared for Udom Emmanuel. These were findings from certified true copies of INEC documents, which were upheld by the Court of Appeal. The case of over-voting and other irregularities were painstakingly established unit by unit in 27 of the 31 local government areas totalling 2,982 polling units. In his pleadings, Udom Emmanuel had said that he would tender incident forms to account for the excess votes, but they were never tendered, even though the incident forms were taken to Abuja from Uyo, because they were filled several weeks after the election and therefore could not be signed by the designated INEC staff. Nigerians should then ask the Supreme Court how it reached its findings that Udom Emmanuel was lawfully returned in spite of this glaring evidence of over-voting and other mind-boggling irregularities.

We are therefore calling on the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the judgement of the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Appeal at the Supreme Court. We passionately request Mr. President to institute an inquiry into the various and widely held notion that the Supreme Court judgement was procured through huge financial inducements so that justice and fairness would be restored to Akwa Ibom people. 

We believe such enquiry is inevitable to address the possible consequences of the Supreme Court judgment which is bound to encourage resort to self help, violence and all forms of illegality and barbarity in the quest for power. We believe that this purchased judgement from the Supreme Court does not reflect Mr President’s desire to weed out corruption from our society.

Signed for and on behalf of Akwa Ibom State APC elders. Members & stakeholders:

Dr Amadu Atai – State Party Chairman
Hon. Efiong Etok – State Party Secretary
Elder Emmanuel Bassey Udoh – State Deputy Chairman
Elder Kufre Inyangette – Senatorial Chairman (Akwa Ibom North West)
Obong Uko Sambo Umoh – Senatorial Chairman (Akwa Ibom North East)
Engr. Ita Awak – Publicity Secretary
Elder Emmanuel Oton – Senatorial Chairman (Akwa Ibom South)
Mrs Magdalene Akpabio – Woman Leader
Mr Bassey Eshiett – Party Organizing Secretary
Mrs Rosemary Harry - Auditor
Chief Idongesit Okpok – Chair of Ward Chairman
Mr Lucky Moses – State Youth Leader
Arc. Ekong Etuk – former Governorship Candidate
Rt. Hon. Sunny Udom – former member, House of Reps
Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh – Party chieftain
Obong Rita Akpan – former minister of Women Affairs
Dr. Maurice Ebong – Political Leader
Engr Efiok Akpan – Party chieftain
Dr. Udoma Ekarika – former Commissioner for Works
Chief Sunny Ibanga – Party Chieftain
Engr. Johnson Essien Ibok – Party Chieftain
Hon. Austin Mbeh – former Commissioner
Obongemem Ekperikpo Ekpo – former member, House of Reps
Rev. Dr. Rehoboth Uloh - Clergy
Barr. Efiong Okwong – former Local Govt Chairman
Hon. Perry Ntuk – former Commissioner
Mr. Enefiok Ekefre – Party Chieftain
Mr. Joseph Umoren – Party Chieftain
Engr. Ifiok Umondal – Party Chieftain
Hon. Clement Awakessien – Party Chieftain
Prince Ekerendu Esitikot – Party Chieftain
Hon. Fabian Ekpo – Party chieftain
Obong Elder E. P. Akpainyang – Party Chieftain
Obonganwan Geraldine Ita Etuk – former President, NCWS
Hon. Alice Ekpenyong – former member, House of Assembly
Dr. Ita Udosen – former member, House of Assembly
Hon. Uwem Udomah – former Dep. Speaker, House of Assembly
Dr. Emem Wills – former Commissioner
Bishop Ekpe James – former LGA Chairman
Mr. Etim Etim – Party chieftain
Obong Ifiok (Dr) Anny Asikpo – Party Chieftain
Mr Austin Utuk – Party chieftain
Barr. Martins Umanah – party chieftain
Chief Edet Ubokulo – Party Chieftain
Engr. Akan Okon – Party chieftain
Dr Clement Bassey – former commissioner
Dr. Inyang Dan Abia – Party Chieftain
Hon. Emmanuel Inwang – Party Chieftain
ObongInwek Unyime Ekwere – House of Assembly Candidate
Hon. Gabriel Akpan – House of Assembly Candidate
Hon. Victor Ini Okon – Party Chieftain

All Progressives Congress (APC)
Akwa Ibom State Chapter

APC wait for the full text of the Judgement, compare it with Zamfara, Lagos, Rivers and Oyo states. Judges don't give Judgements base on who cries the loudest or shouts the most, the look at previous Judgements in similar case and technicalities.

THEY HAVE NOT SAID ANYTHING,ELECTIONS ARE UNIT BASED.THE REST FROM WARD TO LGA AND STATE ARE COLLATION,PROOF YOU WON BASED ON UNITS VOTES CAST 50 WITNESS CANNOT CANCEL ELECTION IN 3290 UNITS.RECIEVE SENSE

They reliably informed me that they will appeal at the CUSTOMARY COURT or in Village square.

Cry us a river, losers.

PMB, though they are right but please ignore them.

We still need to have opposition no matter what.

The next election, we will not put the use reader cards into law, so that PDP will know what is called writing of result sheet as supported by the supreme court.

He that laughs last, laughs best.

See painment

FOOLS

rubbish party APC party of lairs and thieves

I don't trust the supreme court. If for SC, people like mimiko, oshomole, fayemi , aragbesola couldn't have gotten justice and become governors today.

adook1:
[s]THEY HAVE NOT SAID ANYTHING,ELECTIONS ARE UNIT BASED.THE REST FROM WARD TO LGA AND STATE ARE COLLATION,PROOF YOU WON BASED ON UNITS VOTES CAST 50 WITNESS CANNOT CANCEL ELECTION IN 3290 UNITS.RECIEVE SENSE[/s]

you didn't write this with sense.

when u see all those who signed the rubbish, u see faces of desperate politicians who werw once part of the pdp, they whr the ones who introduced impunity into the pdp n they whr the ones who still cried foul saying pdp is a party that reeks impunity. I see people who r fighting for their personal interest n not the interest of their clans, communities, local govt nor state. go to their communities n ask questions abt their leadershil qualities n their antexedents when they were in governance, u will be suprise what u will hear.
all I see r the chaffs that hv been seperated from the grains.
now space go dey for we youths who gat the leadership qualities n the ability to lead right.
pdp ....... POWER TO THE PEOPLE

the candidate is not interested again.


A THANK YOU MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE.
[A Press Statement By Mr. Umana Okon Umana]
We fought a good fight, but since the Supreme Court has taken its decision on the 2015 Governorship Election in Akwa Ibom State, we have no choice but to move on.
I thank my supporters and the good people of Akwa Ibom State for their resilience and support in the struggle to deepen democracy in the state and give our people the right to freely choose who governs them. Our struggle for change has only suffered a setback; change will surely come because no one can stop the march of an idea that has been embraced by the mass of the people.
As law-abiding citizens we went to court to seek justice after the disputed elections, as advised by many people and election monitors, including the United States Embassy and the European Union, which had reached independent conclusions that the elections were marred by widespread irregularities. Our hope was that the Judiciary would heal the wounds and provide succour for our people who were traumatised and brutalised during the elections, especially the families who lost their loved ones. But that was not to be.
We trust God, who is the God of justice, to provide solace and comfort for those who could not get justice within the framework of our legal system. Ultimately we would all be accountable to God for our actions.
We salute the courage and patriotism of our people and urge them to continue to pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our dear state and country. I am aware that our people are surprised by the judgment of the Supreme Court, given the findings of the Tribunal that evaluated the evidence and heard directly from the witnesses, and after the Court of Appeal had taken the following historic position:
"May this country never again experience the violence and thuggery found to have taken place in Akwa Ibom State during the Governorship elections held on 11th April 2015. Politics should never be so desperate that lives and decorum are sacrificed on the altar of winning at all costs. The descent into almost anarchy as occurred in this case must never again be allowed to take place. The supervising body, INEC, is charged at all times to remain on the side of truth and never be complicit in any subversion of due process."
This is not a statement that should be taken lightly. Though it is not our place to question the integrity of the Judiciary as an institution, the situation in which we have found ourselves today calls for very serious soul-searching by our nation.
Once again, I salute the courage and steadfastness of Akwa Ibom people.
Signed:
Umana Okon Umana
Akwa Ibom APC Governorship Candidate

rooftech:
the candidate is not interested again.


A THANK YOU MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE.
[A Press Statement By Mr. Umana Okon Umana]
We fought a good fight, but since the Supreme Court has taken its decision on the 2015 Governorship Election in Akwa Ibom State, we have no choice but to move on.
I thank my supporters and the good people of Akwa Ibom State for their resilience and support in the struggle to deepen democracy in the state and give our people the right to freely choose who governs them. Our struggle for change has only suffered a setback; change will surely come because no one can stop the march of an idea that has been embraced by the mass of the people.
As law-abiding citizens we went to court to seek justice after the disputed elections, as advised by many people and election monitors, including the United States Embassy and the European Union, which had reached independent conclusions that the elections were marred by widespread irregularities. Our hope was that the Judiciary would heal the wounds and provide succour for our people who were traumatised and brutalised during the elections, especially the families who lost their loved ones. But that was not to be.
We trust God, who is the God of justice, to provide solace and comfort for those who could not get justice within the framework of our legal system. Ultimately we would all be accountable to God for our actions.
We salute the courage and patriotism of our people and urge them to continue to pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our dear state and country. I am aware that our people are surprised by the judgment of the Supreme Court, given the findings of the Tribunal that evaluated the evidence and heard directly from the witnesses, and after the Court of Appeal had taken the following historic position:
"May this country never again experience the violence and thuggery found to have taken place in Akwa Ibom State during the Governorship elections held on 11th April 2015. Politics should never be so desperate that lives and decorum are sacrificed on the altar of winning at all costs. The descent into almost anarchy as occurred in this case must never again be allowed to take place. The supervising body, INEC, is charged at all times to remain on the side of truth and never be complicit in any subversion of due process."
This is not a statement that should be taken lightly. Though it is not our place to question the integrity of the Judiciary as an institution, the situation in which we have found ourselves today calls for very serious soul-searching by our nation.
Once again, I salute the courage and steadfastness of Akwa Ibom people.
Signed:
Umana Okon Umana
Akwa Ibom APC Governorship Candidate

He has no option. period

I am outright bitter and sad.
They deceived the people into believing that APC wanted the oil rich states and that Buhari and Tinubu were all out to use Government muscle to squeeze the Judges into submission. They said Wole Olanipekun SAN was all powerful and had never lost any case.


The deception was so intense that when the judgement wasn't to their favour, two innocent people have died so far out of heart break.

The first one a taxi driver hung himself out of grief/bitterness because his friends were mocking him that his candidate had lost. The other, a former PDP chieftain, had a heart attack because he had invested 20 Million in Umana's campaign with promise of being a "Caucus member" in the new APC Government in the State. I learnt this former PDP party man had sold his life's savings and landed properties to Obong Umana's campaign and he suffered a cardiac arrest in the wake of the Supreme Court judgement, moreso as Mr. Umana's phone number and that of his Media aides (Iboro Otongaran, Kenneth Jimmy and co) have been switched off.


Many were expecting Obong Umana to at least show face and bring some words of encouragement to the many people he deceived into believing that his inordinate ambition had the backing of APC. This has not been done and I fear the many people who invested their life's savings into his campaign may loose all hope and "put an end to their misery" some how.


I say here without fear that the blood of these two innocent men who the APC machinery deceived with many promises is on the hands of Obong Umana Okon Umana.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said "no single life of ANY Nigerian is worth loosing over my re-election". GEJ to the admiration of the international community clearly demonstrated a higher moral ground in walking away knowing fully well that if he pressed on to hold on to power, many lives would be lost in the process. Had UoU listened to the several entreaties to back down so Eket Senatorial District has its turn, these two souls would be alive today to finish their predestined destinies, which has been cut short by his greed.


I am very very bitter over the loss of these two innocent souls lost post-tribunal and I pray their souls finds rest in the bosom of the Lord.


The Rivers APC candidate Dakuku Peterside immediately after the Supreme Court judgement was in Port Harcourt three days later to speak with his supporters and encourage them. They even had a Church service. That singular act calmed a lot of nerves. We are human beings. Why didn't  Mr. Umana follow that example? I don't know how true (I stand corrected) that his continued disappearance may be connected to calls for refund of campaign contributions as there will be no rerun?


Please I hope Mr. Otongaran of the Media and Publicity Directorate of the failed bid at Government House will come out of hiding to explain the true reason behind his principal's continued disappearance. I don't want to hear that someone has died again because he couldn't reach anyone on phone. Life is too precious to be wasted.


Anietie James

Uyo

NB: I won't be responding to any replies to this thread as I am in mourning over the loss of these two souls.

Culled from Annang Forum