A’Ibom senate seat: Tribunal Declares Bassey Winner

Aniekan Bassey of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared the rightful senator for the Akwa Ibom Northeast senatorial district by the UYO National Assembly Election Tribunal, which is located in Uyo.

Bassey was proclaimed the winner of the Senate district election held on February 25, 2023, by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, in its ruling on September 7, 2023, the tribunal panel presided over by Hon. Justice B.A. Taiwo dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC) appeal made by Mr. Emaeyak Ukpong against Bassey for lack of merit.

The tribunal decided that Emaeyak Ukpong was unable to support any of the arguments he made.

Additionally, it determined that none of the petitioner’s claims including excessive voting, pervasive anomalies, and conformity with Electoral Act.

 In a petition submitted by his attorney Barr. Jumbo Udom, Ukpong attempted to persuade the court to annul Aniekan Bassey’s victory in the 2023 National Assembly election and declare himself the winner.

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and Senator Bassey’s lead attorneys urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the grounds that it lacked substance because the burden of proof rested with the petitioner.

As a result, the tribunal denied the petition and upheld Senator Bassey’s selection for the Akwa Ibom Northeast (Uyi) senate seat.

Expectedly while reacting to the judgement, Senator Aniekan Bassey hailed the tribunal for upholding the rule of law against emotions, and sentiment.

Bassey who was the immediate past Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly described the judgement as  a victory for democracy, adding that the judgment once again reaffirmed that the people of the Senatorial district voted overwhelmingly for the PDP.