The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has upheld the victory of Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 National Assembly election. Senator Bassey represents the Uyo East Senatorial district.
The tribunal’s decision comes after Dr. Emaeyak Ukpong of the All Progressives Congress (APC) filed a petition challenging Bassey’s victory. Ukpong alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and requested that the tribunal declare him the winner of the election.
However, the tribunal, led by Justice B. A. Taiwo, ruled that the petitioner failed to prove any of his allegations of over-voting, widespread irregularities, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. As a result, the petition was dismissed for lacking merit, and Senator Aniekan Bassey’s victory was affirmed.
Senator Bassey described the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and called on his opponent to join him for the betterment of the district.
In a separate development, the National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Bayelsa State set aside the election of the member representing Sagbama-Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Fred Agbedi. The tribunal ordered INEC to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in some polling units and wards where the election was marred by violence and irregularities. Michael Olomu, the candidate of the APC, had challenged Agbedi’s victory in the election.
Both decisions reflect the outcomes of election petition cases where the tribunal assessed the allegations and evidence presented by the petitioners and made rulings based on the merits of the cases.