Sitting Governors whose declaration as winners of the March 9, 2019 governorship election, in Abia, Akwa Ibom and Taraba States by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have received the seal of legitimacy and approval of their victory by various State Election Petition Tribunals.
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel was declared the rightful winner of the polls by the State Governorship and Election Petition Tribunal which dismissed the petition of the All Progressive Congress,APC candidate, Nsima Ekere.
In Abia State, the State Governorship Election Tribunal, ruled that the All Progressive Grand Alliance Candidate, APGA, Alex Otti in the governorship election could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC did not comply with relevant sections of the Electoral Act by declaring Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP as winner of the election.
The petition was struck out for lack of merit.
In Taraba State, the State Election Petition Tribunal dismissed the petition by Abubakar Danladi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the re-election of Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last governorship election in the State.
The decision was taken by a three-man panel led by Justice M.O. Adewara.
In a unanimous decision, the court held that the petitioners failed to prove their claims that the election was marred by irregularities and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Last week, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde was also declared the rightful winner of the State Governorship election by the State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ibadan.
The Tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the APC governorship candidate, Adelabu.
