NewStats: 3,262,191 , 8,176,399 topics. Date: Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 09:28 AM 5v3l5l

The Supreme Court, on Friday, affirmed Godswill Obot Akpabio as the valid Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, for the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District in the forthcoming February 25, 2023 election.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man led by Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun JSC, set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal recognising Ekpoudom as the Candidate of the Party.

Recall, that the legal tussle on who will represent the zone has been between DIG Udo Udom Ekpoudom (rtd) on one hand and the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio on the other.

Background of the suit
The lawsuit followed the emergence of the former Senate Minority leader, Akpabio, as the party’s candidate in the APC re-run primary poll held on June 8. The "uncommon Governor" participated in the Presidential Primary of the APC, before contesting the Senatorial ticket of the Zone.

Although the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had recognised Ekpoudom as the APC candidate for the senatorial district for the 2023 election, the APC insisted that the former Niger-Delta Affairs Minister will be on the ballot as her candidate.

In the application: Ekpoudom v. APC & INEC (in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1000/2022), the petitioner said he duly participated in the Akwa Ibom North West APC Senatorial District Primary Election held on May 28 and monitored by INEC in line with the 2023 election timetable and guidelines of the APC.

Justice Donatus Uwaezeoke Okorowo of the Abuja Federal High Court, on September 23, held that the plaintiff’s action was not justiciable, hence, the suit was incompetent. He said that the matter bordered on the internal affairs of a party, and the Court is divested from handling same.

Dissatisfied with the High Court judgement, Ekpoudom unsurprisingly appealed, praying the penultimate court to recognise him as the duly elected candidate of the Party.

On November 14 last year, the three-man of the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja (in suit No: CA/ABJ/CV/1055/2022) set aside Justice Okorowo's judgement and affirmed Ekpoudom as the Candidate of the APC for the District.

The lead judgement read by Justice Danlami Zama Senchi JCA ordered INEC to immediately recognise and the name of Ekpoudom within seven (7) days as the APC Senatorial Candidate as well as de-list the name of any other Candidate.

The further held that, Akpabio being a presidential aspirant of the APC, could not participate in the valid primary of the party held on May 28 and monitored by the INEC, which produced Ekpoudom as a candidate.

The APC and Akpabio (via a leave of Court) appealed to the apex Court for a favourable judgement.

Ok

In Akpabio tone, What money cannot do more money will do it.

This is laughable. How did they come about this judgement? The Supreme Court lately seems to be giving very interesting judgements.

Illegality at its peak.
I hope the Judiciary will stand for what's its known for in saner climes. I hold nothing against the Uncommon Governor. But the Apex court erred in its judgement.

Exclusive101:
My people ipob Igbo want to die over Akwa Ibom judgement. See fools shouting money judge but when Buhari was hounding the judges earlier na still this same fools claim he as killed the judiciary...lol

Do you have any idea of what this judgement means? It isn't for a specific locality. BTW, I am more Akwa Ibom than you!

Hmm

Finally got it at all costs

It is another comic relief.

Obong Godswill Obot Akpabio was a good man as a governor,who delivered dividends of democracy to the good people of akwaibom, until he ed the satanic party...





uncommon transformer!

Lovely. APC is now in contention for everything in Akwa Ibom. From President to Governor to National Assembly and State Assembly. PDP's dubious strategy of excluding formidable opponents through the courts is now expired. All parties will go into the field and fight for votes. Tinubu will get substantial votes in AKS. Obi and Atiku will share the PDP votes.

Money

fergie001:

Up up up apcccccc.....tinubu will get his 30% in aks.akpabio is the next senate president

Hmmm I pity our judiciary

Illegality. Supreme Court of criminals

Judgment for sale. This is why impunity will not end in Nigeria. You can influence court judgment and even the security to do your bidding once you know their way and willing to pay. Naija, we hail wail thee!

Did he participated at the primary election?

What a country! Nigeria is just on auto reverse.

Where is that loud mouth Mike Igini?

slivertongue:
Ok

I am so happy.

Next Senate president of the federal republic of Nigeria in the 10th assembly

Granger:
This is laughable. How did they come about this judgement? The Supreme Court lately seems to be giving very interesting judgements.

Apc nwc simply said their rightful candidate is akpabio and that is final.with this,Ahmed lawan might win at the apex court.cc fergie001

Don't just take sides! Is the judgement a fair one??

garfield1:
Up up up apcccccc.....tinubu will get his 30% in aks.akpabio is the next senate president

It's not OUK or Osita again?

Though I knew the APC can't give the SE Senate President sha, I was just saying

Akpabio in
Umahi in

Very good development.
Ahmed lawan ntorrrrr.......

Cyberterror:
Lovely. APC is now in contention for everything in Akwa Ibom. From President to Governor to National Assembly and State Assembly. PDP's dubious strategy of excluding formidable opponents through the courts is now expired. All parties will go into the field and fight for votes. Tinubu will get substantial votes in AKS. Obi and Atiku will share the PDP votes.

u people are really funny, see U see This South South, we aren't foolish, we can't even add APC to the equation,,. Obi already has this South South, it's will even Shock u that Obi will have more vote in South South than even South East

Money Bag Judgement.

Skyehigher1:
Next Senate president of the federal republic of Nigeria in the 10th assembly

Yes oh.by virtue of stepping down for tinubu,he is first choice followed by ouk,ayade,izunaso,degi etc

Congrats Akpabio.

Now how I'll vote.
President: Obi
Governor: Oba
Senate: Akpabio

Tinubu is not seeing more than 30 votes in Akwa Ibom. Even Udom's fanatics are planning of voting Obi. You think say we no get sense for here? Ley February come.

N/B, not 30%. I said 30 votes. Go to Akpabio's page or APC Akwa Ibom and see the mind of Akawibomites. For those urchins celebrating this win for tulumbu.

garfield1:
APC nwc simply said their rightful candidate is akpabio and that is final.with this,Ahmed lawan might win at the apex court.

I can't say for them ooo because it will be blanket for Aliero, Yahaya & co.

I knew it will go to him when Ayang lost his own case on Wednesday. It is clear Bwacha will go through as well, operation everybody go to the field.

Everything is favouring balanulu