EKPE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal from the ruling of that Local Government Election Tribunal, Akwa Ibom State, sitting at Uyo in the election petition No. LGET/AK/31/98, filed by the appellant. The ruling was delivered on the 3rd of February, 1999, and the election petition was struck out. The petitioner now the appellant was a candidate for the chairmanship election for Ika Local Government Council under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (P.D.P). The election was held on the 5th day of December, 1998. Other candidates who vied in the said chairmanship election were the 1st respondent, Dr. Francis Udoikpong, or the All Peoples Party (A.P.P) who was declared the winner and one Dr. Justin Idiong under the platform of Alliance for Democracy (A. D) who was not made any in the petition. The appellant in his petition complained of electoral malpractices such as corrupt practices, thuggery, irregularities and other electoral offences that made the elect…