The Anambra State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday dismissed petition challenging the election of Governor Willie Obiano.
The tribunal dismissed the application of the factional candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), Dr. Chike Obidigbo, his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Dr. Chris Ngige and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election, Mr. Tony Nwoye, for lacking in merit.
In the first judgment read by the Justice Ishaq Bello-led tribunal on the matter between Obidigbo and Obiano, he stated that Obiano was validly nominated as the candidate of APGA, and that the election that brought him to office was conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act as amended.
In the first judgment read by the Justice Ishaq Bello-led tribunal on the matter between Obidigbo and Obiano, he stated that Obiano was validly nominated as the candidate of APGA, and that the election that brought him to office was conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act as amended.
Justice Bello held that Obidigbo’s petition was a pre-election matter, hence not meant for the tribunal but for a conventional court.
He had few weeks ago ruled out the petition in same lines.
The Justice lso dismissed the issue of multiple registration, saying no criminal charges were brought against Obiano before any Magistrate or High Court in the state.
The Justice lso dismissed the issue of multiple registration, saying no criminal charges were brought against Obiano before any Magistrate or High Court in the state.
The tribunal also struck out the petition brought before it by Ngige for lack of evidence.
Contrary to the claims of Ngige’s counsel that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) lacked the power to extend the date of election, the tribunal held that INEC had the power to do so.
Contrary to the claims of Ngige’s counsel that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) lacked the power to extend the date of election, the tribunal held that INEC had the power to do so.
It held that in the case of unforeseen circumstances, the important thing was that the election should be in consonance with the electoral guideline.
Already, Obidigbo confirmed to journalists yesterday that he was heading to Court of Appeal immediately to challenge the tribunal judgment.
Also, the Supreme Court would, this morning, determine an earlier appeal brought before it by Obidigbo against Obiano on the issue of who was the validly nominated candidate of the party APGA, an aspect that was earlier struck out by the tribunal.
