How court judgement will redefine Akwa Ibom polls – Details emerge

By Adeleye Kunle

Following the decision of the Federal High Court in Uyo on Friday, the deafening noise about the authenticity of the certificates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, was silenced.

Prior to Friday’s decision, the PDP Governorship Candidate was campaigning for the 2023 elections, but the certificate forgery suit hanging over him appeared to be a stumbling block, especially in the eyes of ordinary citizens.

According to the Track News, Mr. Akan Okon, a former commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Sea Port, alleged in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/110/2022 that Umo Eno, the PDP candidate, forged his 1981 and 1983 WAEC certificates and presented them to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the PDP.

He also claimed that Eno’s voter registration card and birth certificate were forged, and he asked the court to disqualify him and declare him (Okon) the winner of the primary.

However, the Judge, Justice Agatha Okeke, dismissed the suit for lack of merit, claiming that Okon acted on speculations and assumptions while awarding Umo Eno N15 million in damages.

Okon has rejected the ruling, calling it a “miscarriage of justice,” and has stated that he will appeal it.

“Both oral and documentary evidence abound that the certificates were forged,” he said in a press statement, “but the judge carefully avoided evaluating the parties and the noticeable discrepancies pointed out in the certificates.”

“However, Mr. Akan Okon’s legal team believes that the ruling was made in error, and they intend to test the veracity of the case at the Appeal Court.”

Because Akwa Ibom State has been a PDP state since the beginning of democratic rule in 1999, each successive government has described the party as a religion in the state.

However, it is worth noting that people’s perceptions and attitudes toward parties have shifted in recent years, with voters now favoring personalities over parties; thus, the 2023 elections may not be business as usual.

There have been differing opinions and expectations regarding the recent judgment, with some arguing that it made no difference in people’s perceptions of the PDP’s victory in 2023, while others believed it was a significant boost to victory.

Prince Chris AbasiEyo, spokesman for the PDP/Umo Eno Campaign Council, expressed high hopes that the court decision would bring a flood of strayed but intelligent politicians back into the fold (PDP).

AbasiEyo also encouraged those who wanted to return to the party to do so because the umbrella was large enough to accommodate them.