The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has nullified the election of Dr. Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
It ruled in favour of Sen. Godswill Akpabio, who challenged the declaration of Ekpenyong as winner of the February 23, 2019 National Assembly election for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
Akpabio contested the seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The court held that Ekpenyong was wrongly declared winner and consequently nullified his election.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had returned Ekpenyong as winner of the election.
Akpabio, who is now the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, not satisfied with the decision, headed to the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, which ruled in favour of Ekpenyong.
Still not satisfied with the judgment of the Justice Akanbi-led Tribunal, he filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Calabar.
In its judgment on Saturday, the appellate Court ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Dr. Chris Ekpenyong and conduct fresh elections in the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District within ninety days.
More details later..
