Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, has said that Mr. Udom Emmanuel was at the moment not constitutionally recognised as the governor of Akwa Ibom State even though he still calls the shots in the state.
Enang said Emmanuel was merely occupying the seat for the time being.
A tribunal headed by Justice Umar Sadiq, nullified elections in 18 out of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom, automatically disqualifying Emmanuel from being the governor of the state, according to the presidential aide.
Enang, further said going by the tribunal’s ruling, Emmanuel does not have the constitutional two-thirds of votes as required by law to be referred to as governor.
“Emmanuel is still the governor of Akwa Ibom State because there must be somebody who is the governor until an appeal is determined by the Supreme Court.
“If elections in 18 local government areas are cancelled, then that poll is cancelled because he does not have two-third to enable him be the governor. But as at now he has been sworn-in; he is on seat. I was part of the body making the constitution; I was part of the body making the amendment and I have always said I will not play politics with the truth.
“So, Emmanuel is still the governor but that election in law stands nullified because he does not have two-thirds of the votes but that is a matter for the court to determine,” he said.
