In Akwa Ibom: Residents celebrate Gov. Udom's election nullification (PHOTOS)

A five-man panel of the Appeal Court ordered that fresh elections should be conducted in 18 out of the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.

Following the decision of the Appeal Court on Dec. 18, in Abuja, that the Akwa Ibom state Governor Emmanuel Udom should vacate his seat as earlier held by the state's election tribunal, residents trooped to the streets in jubilation of the verdict.

Reports said Uyo, the state's capital is locked down as at the time of filing this report.

A five-man panel of the Appeal Court ordered that fresh elections should be conducted in 18 out of the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, in the April 11 governorship polls in the state, Okon Umana, had challenged Udom's victory, and asked the tribunal to cancel the entire election.