Election tribunal akpabio ordered to open defence

You're referring to the ongoing election tribunal case involving Godswill Akpabio, a former Nigerian Senator and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

According to reports, the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has ordered Godswill Akpabio to open his defence in the petition filed by Chris Ekpenyong, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the outcome of the February 23, 2019 National Assembly election in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.

Akpabio, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had earlier filed a counter-petition against Ekpenyong, alleging that the latter was not qualified to contest the election. However, the tribunal has now ordered Akpabio to open his defence in response to Ekpenyong's petition.

It's worth noting that the tribunal has already dismissed Akpabio's petition challenging Ekpenyong's qualification to contest the election. The tribunal held that Akpabio failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that Ekpenyong was not qualified to contest the election.

The case is ongoing, and it's expected that Akpabio will present his defence in response to Ekpenyong's petition. The outcome of the tribunal's decision will determine the fate of the senatorial seat and the winner of the election.