GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO & ORS V. SENATOR JOHN JAMES AKPANUDOEDEHE & ORS

JOSEPH TINE TUR, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The Independent National Electoral Commission conducted election into the office of Governor of Akwa Ibom State on the 26th day of April, 2011. Godswill Obot Akpabio contested the election to the office on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, his Deputy being Mr. Nsima Ekere. Senator John James Akpanudoedehe contested the same with his Deputy Dr. Imeh Sampson Umanah all of the Action Congress of Nigeria. At the close of voting the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Godswill Obot Akpabio and Mr. Nsima Ekere of the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria as having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election, namely, 957,585 votes as against 163,449 polled by Senator John James Akpanudoedehe and Dr. Imeh Sampson Umanah of the Action Congress of Nigeria. The commission returned Godswill Obot Akpabio and Mr. Nsima Ekere as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively of Akwa Ibom State. Irked by…