Akwa Ibom Guber Tribunal: APC Plot To Manipulate Judgement Exposed, Moves To Lobby Appeal Court President, CJN

Akwa Ibom Guber Tribunal: APC Plot To Manipulate Judgement Exposed, Moves To Lobby Appeal Court President, CJN 

In what is believed as a last-ditched effort to influence the outcome of the Akwa Ibom State governorship election petition in which even witnesses called by the petitioners had testified that the election was free, credible, transparent and fair and that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won fair and square; the All Progressives Congress (APC) is now  plotting to lobby the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa and Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed, in their bid to get the Tribunal judgement manipulated.

They are using a non-existent and unsubstantiated bogeyman involving a female judge at the tribunal.

A source, who confirmed the plot said the party leaders are jolted that instead of witnesses called by the party to corroborate the petitioners' claim that the election was rigged, they have insisted that the PDP won the elections free and square.  

According to the source, chieftains of the APC  left Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State for Abuja today, July 14, 2019 at about 4pm to specifically  lobby the President of the Court of Appeal and the CJN.

The APC chieftains are to link up with a retired judge, who is  a consultant to the APC on judiciary matters and another senior lawyer who is seen as very close to the Appeal Court President.

Another source, who is a prominent member of the APC, who craved anonymity said; "We don't want a breakdown of law and order in Akwa Ibom State and party affiliation apart, Governor Udom Emmanuel won the election fair and square. But our leaders are so desperate that they believe nothing is impossible and that the Tribunal judgement can be manipulated using what they called  'Abuja connections.'

"It was in furtherance to this plot to influence the judgement that the chieftains travelled to Abuja this evening. I was even among those who saw them off at the  Airport in Uyo but my spirit is against anything that can cause crisis in my State."

"I think someone is giving them assurance somewhere but as for most of us the party leaders at the local governments are of the opinion that we should start preparing for 2023.

" I don't see how traveling to Abuja to see the President of the Court of Appeal; or the Chief Justice of the Nigeria, will affect a case on an election that we lost in all local government areas in Akwa Ibom State.

"Even a layman understands that our case is flawed.  PDP won the State and I am not among those who go about deceiving themselves by grasping at straws.

" Those they are planning to see in Abuja will not manufacture evidence for us," the source, who's among the APC witnesses at the Tribunal said further.

The APC and its candidate, Mr. Nsima Ekere are challenging the governorship election at the Tribunal despite losing in all local government areas in the State. They are also challenging the elections of the National and State House of Assembly.

It should be recalled that the elections in Akwa Ibom State were universally celebrated as the prime example of how to conduct free and credible elections under a hostile atmosphere.

International Observers celebrated the elections in the State, declaring the exercise as free and fair. Also the Police Commissioner in charge of the elections in the State, Ibrahim Kaoje in his report said the elections were credible, free and transparent. 

Several prominent Nigerians including APC Governors like Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and other major players across the country's political divides have since congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel and lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free and credible elections in the State.