The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, yesterday, in Uyo adjourned further hearing in the case between Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, his challenger, John Akpan udoedehe, Action Congress of Nigeria,ACN, and others till February 7, 2012.
ACN governorship candidate, John Akpanudoedehe and his running mate,? Ime Umanah, are challenging the declaration of Akpabio and his deputy, Nsima Ekere, as the winners of the April 26, 2011 gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State.
At the resumption of the hearing, yesterday, the three-member panel, headed by Justice Kwajafa and two others, entertained arguments from lawyer to the ACN, Kola Awodein (SAN) and the respondents’ counsel, Bayo Ojo (SAN) .
Ojo is praying the court to dismiss the petitioners’ application on the ground that the 180 days time-limit allowed by the Constitution for filing of petition by the petitioner had lapsed owing to efflux of time.