The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Akwa Ibom state’s decision to uphold Martins Esin’s victory as the representative for the Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency in the February 2023 elections was upheld by the Court of Appeal on Thursday at the National Industrial Court Complex in Lagos State.
In addition, the three-member panel of justice granted each respondent, including Esin, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a cost of five hundred thousand naira against the appellant.
Recall that the respondents challenged the poll’s results before the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, along with Robinson Edumoh of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was defeated in the February elections.
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On September 1, 2023, the tribunal presided over by Justice Kudirat Jose dismissed Edumoh’s petition, finding that the petitioner was unable to substantiate any of his claims regarding excessive voting, failure to transmit results electronically, pervasive irregularities, and failure to comply with Electoral Act provisions.
The APC candidate was not happy with the decision and went to the appellate court, requesting that the tribunal’s decision be overturned.
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal’s ruling, which recognised PDP candidate Esin as the legitimate victor of the election, was sustained by the panel, thus the lower court’s decision was maintained, the Court of Appeal said in its ruling.
“Hereby, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Hon. Martins Esin are awarded a cost of five hundred thousand naira in favour of each respondent against the appellant.”
