The Akwa Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) this afternoon assured that it is on course towards proving that Governor Udom Emmanuel was validly elected by the people of the state during the April 11 ballot.

Speaking with correspondents after today’s session of the Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, counsel to PDP, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), said the party remains as strong as ever in the case.

Oyetibo while reacting to the tribunal’s dismissal of the application by PDP for additional witnesses, said the ruling does not diminish the strength of their case.

The PDP Counsel explained that “since the evidence we were bringing is still along the same line as the evidences we have led, we are not disturbed by the ruling. We are not disturbed and we remain as strong as we were before the application was made.”

In objecting the application, Solomon Umoh (SAN), who appeared for the petitioner, said the reasons advanced by the 2nd respondent for the additional witnesses was not sufficient grounds for it to be granted. The tribunal headed by Justice Sadiq Umar ruled in favour of the objection.

Meanwhile, based on the subpoenae by PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today produced Accreditation Incidence Report Forms before the tribunal.

The incidence forms, contained in three giant bags popularly referred to as Ghana-Must-Go, were tendered before the tribunal by Mr Obinna Ayogu from Akwa Ibom State INEC. One of the bags was physically brought into the court room and examined.

Mr Ayogu told the tribunal that the bags contained incidence forms from 30 local government areas, and promised to tender the remaining one local government area tomorrow.

•Photo shows Governor Udom Emmanuel.