By Abasiama Etukakpan
I want to sincerely thank God Almighty, my parents, family members, my supporters, the good people of Oruk Anam Local Government Area and the general public for their support, prayers and goodwill messages during these times. My sincere prayer is that the God of Justice, to whom all powers belong to and who rules over the affairs of all men shall at the appointed time vindicate me. I therefore hinge my faith only on God in this matter.
Let me start by assuring you all that I am innocent of all the allegations and trump up charges leveled against me as same is sequel to my perceived support for an aspirant in a yet to be conceived election. I sincerely believe that justice shall not only be done but shall be seen to be done at the appropriate time.
On the issue of age as a criteria for qualification into elective offices in Nigeria across board, including the Oruk Anam Local Government Council, it is imperative to enlighten us on the provisions of extant laws and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in this regard. Under the new law, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(Fourth Alteration, No 27) Act 2017, the minimum age of eligibility for elective offices across board in Nigeria is now 25 years.
To this end, and by virtue of Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Constitution shall remain supreme and any other law that is inconsistent with the provision(s) of the constitution, shall to the extent of its inconsistency remain null, void and of no effect.
Therefore, the quoted provisions of sections 36 and 43 (2) of the Akwa Ibom State Local Government Administration Law, 2017 is inconsistent with the above provisions of the Constitution, and to that extent remains a nullity.
On the issue of my alleged certificate forgery, which was geared towards tarnishing my hard earned reputation in the eyes of responsible men.
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