CHIMA CENTUS NWEZE, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): Upon hearing this appeal on February 3, 2016, I allowed it and undertook to adduce my reasons on Monday, February 15, 2016; that is, today. I shall, now, proceed to advance the reasons for my said decision.
On April?11, 2015, the fourth respondent in this appeal, Independent National Electoral Commission, [INEC, for short] conducted election into the office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The appellant in this appeal, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, the third respondent herein (in this appeal to be, simply, designated as "PDP"). On the other hand, the first respondent, Umana Okon Umana, was the candidate of the second respondent, All Progressives Congress (hereinafter, simply, referred to as "APC"). Other political parties, equally, sponsored their candidates.
At the conclusion of the Polls, INEC declared the appellant the winner and, accordingly, returned him as having been, duly…