Election petition tribunal holds inaugural meeting in A’Ibom

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The National and State Houses of Assembly elections petition tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State held its inaugural meeting with 15 petitions filed for hearing.

The Chairman of the Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Kudirat Jose, a Judge of Lagos High Court said this in her inaugural speech in Uyo on Wednesday.

Jose said that two petitions were filed in respect of the Senate elections, seven in respect of the House of Representatives elections and six in respect of the State House of Assembly elections.

She said the Judiciary would do its best as an umpire to sit over the petitions and decide them on a fair and impartial basis.

“Based on the processes filed, we have two petitions in respect of the Senate elections, seven in respect of the House of Representatives elections and six in the State House of Assembly elections making a total of 15 petitions to be dealt with by this panel. 

“The judiciary’s duty is that of an umpire to sit over these petitions and decide them on a fair and impartial basis. This duty is one that this Tribunal holds dear and will carry out fully.

“The role of the judiciary which is the third arm of government, in respect of post-election matters is to hear and determine petitions filed by participants in the elections who are aggrieved with same. 

“You are all welcome to the inaugural sitting of the National and State House of Assembly Elections (Petition) Tribunal (Panel 1) of Akwa Ibom State sitting in the state capital Uyo,” she said.

The chairman added that the pre-hearing sessions would commence as soon as all preliminary stage of each petition is over as per the provisions of paragraph 47(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022.

She assured that pre-hearing sessions would be concluded quickly so that hearing proper could commence as soon as possible.

“We expect these pre-hearing sessions will be concluded quickly so that the hearing can commence as soon as possible.

“I must note that we have a robust registry which has been trying its best to ensure that processes are filed and served on time so that the hearing can commence in earnest,” she said.

The chairman solicited the cooperation of learned counsel to ensure that matters were determined in a speedy and efficient way.