In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has conclusively affirmed Umo Eno’s status as the validly elected governor of Akwa Ibom State. This pronouncement follows the dismissal of appeals lodged by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and the Action Alliance (AC), all of whom challenged the outcome of the election held on March 18, 2023.
The apex court panel, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, meticulously evaluated the allegations raised by the opposing parties, particularly focusing on the claims of certificate forgery against Governor Umo Eno. The parties, notably the APC, argued that Eno had submitted a forged West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the election process.
However, the Supreme Court decisively rejected these claims, reinforcing the integrity of the electoral process and validating Umo Eno’s election victory. Justice Uwani Abba-Aji and the panel highlighted the lack of substantiated evidence presented by the appellants, emphasizing that the arguments put forth were based on assumptions rather than concrete proof.
This legal battle had traversed through the tiers of the judiciary, with the Court of Appeal having previously upheld the judgment that dismissed a suit challenging the primary that produced Umo Eno as the People Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for the state. In that instance, the appellant, who sought to disqualify Eno, was unable to convince the court of the alleged certificate forgery. The appellate court not only dismissed the suit for want of merit but also imposed a financial penalty of 15 million naira against the plaintiff.
The overarching theme of both the appellate and Supreme Court decisions revolves around the failure of the challengers to provide concrete evidence supporting their claims. This legal saga, with its intricate examination of electoral processes and allegations, underscores the importance of substantiated arguments and robust evidence in the judicial determination of election disputes. The Supreme Court’s resolute affirmation of Umo Eno’s victory stands as a testament to the principles of justice and fairness in the democratic governance of Akwa Ibom State.
