UBEH & ANOR
V.
ETUK & ORS
ISAIAH OLUFEMI AKEJU, JCA (Delivering the leading Judgment): At the election conducted by the 3rd respondent on 26th April, 2011 into the Uruan State Constituency seat of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the 1st appellant and 1st respondent were the candidates sponsored by the 2nd appellant and 2nd respondent respectively. Other candidates who are not parties to this appeal also contested the election. At the end of the election, the 3rd respondent declared the 1st respondent as the candidate that won the election and who was duly returned. The appellants were dissatisfied with the declaration and return of the 1st respondent and they filed Election Petition No. EPT/AKS/HA/21/2011 before the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal (hereinafter called the Tribunal) sitting at Uyo. The appellants as petitioners filed their petition on 17th May, 2011 and served same on all the respondents. The respondents did not file their reply within the time allowed by the E…