Tribunal sacks APGA lawmaker

APGA PDP logo

APGA PDP logo

APGA PDP logo

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Owerri on Tuesday nullified the election of Mr Ndubuisi Ikonne, representing Owerri West Constituency in the Imo House of Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Mr Chidi Ihemedu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second had dragged Ikonne of APGA to the tribunal on the grounds that the Aprill 11 election in Owerri West witnessed irregularities.

Ihemedu had prayed the court to among other things to cancel the election or declare him winner of the election.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by chairman of tribunal, Justice Abdullahi Sanya, the court ordered for a re-run in eleven polling units spread across seven wards of the constituency.

The tribunal after reviewing submissions made by parties stated that elections in the affected units did not meet the provisions of the electoral law.

The tribunal directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise the re-run within 90 days to determine the true representative of the constituency.

Mr Chidi Ihemedu, who spoke with newsmen after the judgment described the judgment as victory for democracy.

Related News

He said, “this judgment has made me to note that there are still good men and women at the bench.

“This is a resounding victory and I can tell the tribunal made painstaking efforts to unravel the truth based on the evidence before them, and I thank God for today.’

Ihemedu said that God has given them another opportunity to right the wrong that was done in the April 11 election.

He urged the people to come out in their numbers to ensure that he emerged the winner during the re-run election.

Dr Collins Anya, Personal Assistant to Ikonne, who spoke on behalf his boss, expressed surprise at the judgment and added that Ikonne would after consultation with his legal team decided on what next to do.

“There is no cause for alarm because the total number of registered votes in the affected wards is below 3,000.

“Based on the cancellation, we are still leading by over 2,000 votes and even if there is re-run, Ikonne will still win the election,’’ he said.

Load more