Tribunal Upholds Governor Obiano’s Election
The Anambra governorship election petition tribunal has upheld the election of Governor Willie Obiano in the Nov. 18, 2107 elections.
It will be recalled that Praise Okechukwu, candidate of the Mega Progressives Peoples Party (MPPP) in her petition prayed the tribunal to annul Obiano’s victory for non-substantial compliance to the electoral act.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also respondents in the suit.
Justice H. A Olusiyi, chairman of the tribunal in a unanimous judgment ruled that the petitioner had not proven her case substantially to invalidate the election.
Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) counsel to Obiano described the judgment as welcome as the election in question was the best in the history of Anambra and that the victory was convincing.
Ikpeazu said it was the institutional right of the petitioner to have contested the poll but it was not necessary.
Emeka Etiaba (SAN) counsel to INEC also lauded the tribunal for a job well done.
On his part, Nkem Ekweozoh, counsel to Okechukwu said he would appeal the ruling as he was not satisfied with the decision.
Ekweozoh said some aspects of his petition were not addressed in his application to inspect sensitive materials which INEC refused to make available to him.
