OBADINA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal of Akwa Ibom State, holden at Uyo, delivered on the 16th of February, 1999, in favour of the 1st respondent.
On the 5th December, 1998, the appellant contested the Local Government Council election for the office of Chairman, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He contested the election on the platform of the All Peoples Party (APP). The 1st respondent also contested the election to the same office of Chairman, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
At the conclusion of the election, the 1st respondent won and was declared winner of the said election with (12,189) votes to the petitioner's (7,518) votes.
The appellant was dissatisfied with the result of the election. He then presented an election petition before the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in A…