By Egufe Yafuborghi & Chioma Onuegbu

UYO- THE Local Government Election Tribunals inaugurated over the October 5, 2024 Chairmanship and Councillorship polls held in Akwa Ibom state have dismissed all 13 petitions filed against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

State Legal Adviser of the PDP, Ekemini Uba(Esq) who disclosed this to newsmen Friday evening in Uyo said the 13 cases were filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Uba, the Tribunals for Uyo (Akwa Ibom Northeast) and Ikot Ekpene (Akwa Ibom Northwest) senatorial districts, chaired by George Ituen, and Samuel Akpabio, respectively dismissed the cases for incompetence as they were filed out of time.

Reflecting on the development, Uba explained, “The petitions were filed against our candidates for the Chairmanship of Abak and Ibiono Ibom Local government areas, and for the Councillorship in 11 (Eleven) of the 14 wards in Ibiono Ibom LGA.

“As respondents, we filed our briefs and in all cases, challenged their competences before the Tribunals and prayed the Tribunals to dismiss all the cases.

“I am excited to inform us that after due consideration of all the cases, the two Tribunals which presided over the cases have dismissed the petitions and re-affirmed the victories of our party candidates.

“In upholding our submissions the Tribunals held that the petitions were incompetent having been filed out of time. I, therefore, congratulate all our 13 candidates for their Victories at the tribunals.

“I equally congratulate the leader of our party, our peace- loving Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for his role in the political stability in our state. I implore all political actors and stakeholders in our state to emulate the Governor who has shown that elections and politics generally should not be a do or die affair.

” Though we were defeated in some areas, he never allowed us to contest those defeats at the Tribunal. Our governor believes that God gives power to whom he wishes, and that there are always new opportunities to explore after elections”

Fielding questions from newsmen, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Edwin Ebiese explained that the party only lost one Councillorship seat in Ika LGA, the Essien Udim Chairmanship seat and few Councillorship seats in same LGA.