The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Umo Eno, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the duly elected governor of Akwa Ibom State. The ruling, which followed the dismissal of appeals by three opposing parties challenging the March 18, 2023 election outcome, solidifies Eno’s position at the helm of the state.
A panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji presided over the apex court’s decision, rejecting appeals from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and the Action Alliance (AC). The grounds for their challenges were centered on allegations of certificate forgery against Governor Umo Eno, allegations vehemently denied by the governor.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal had already upheld the judgment dismissing a suit contesting the primary election that produced Umo Eno as the PDP candidate. The plaintiff, who belonged to the APC, had sought the disqualification of Governor Eno, alleging the submission of a forged West African Examination Certificate (WAEC) to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The appellate court, after careful consideration, dismissed the suit for lack of merit and ordered the plaintiff, Okon, to pay a sum of 15 million naira in costs. The judge emphasized that Okon’s arguments were speculative and lacked substantiation, failing to establish that Governor Eno’s certificates were indeed forged.