Abia State National Assembly and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the State capital on Friday, nullified the Election of Hon. Mike Ukoha, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a rerun election in Arochukwu State constituency seat within ninety days.
Read also: Magistrate’s Court In Minna Remands Man In Jail Over Cheating
First petitioner, Prince Eric Aso Kalu, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last Election, filed a suit at the Tribunal, seeking to nullify the election which returned Mike Ukoha, the flag bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), claimed that the election was marred by irregularities and over voting.
However, delivering the judgement, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice A.A Aderibigbe, declared that the March 9 House of Assembly election won by the respondent (Mike Ukoha) for Arochukwu constituency was characterised by over voting, with instances in Ujari 2, Amasu 1 and 3, as well as Agbagwu, all in Arochukwu state constituency.
Read also: Akwa Ibom: APC, PDP In War Over Tribunals’ Verdict
Justice Aderibigbe cited the units where rerun should take place to include Ujari 3, Amasu 1, 2 and 3, Agbagwu, Government Area/Mary Slessor as well as Ibom/Aggrey Primary School.
Others include Ndi Arunsi Ogbaja Unit, Obiene 1/Obiene Central School, Obiagwulu 3 and Abuma 2/Abuma Hall all in Ututu, Arochukwu local government area of Abia State.
On the verdict, the petitioner, Prince Eric Aso Kalu, commended the tribunal members for toeing the path of justice.
He said, “First and foremost, I must commend the tribunal members for toeing path of justice and fair play by identifying the excessive malpractices that occurred during the exercise.
“I am very optimistic to win the rerun election in some of the INEC wards in Arochukwu constituency as ordered by the tribunal, if the respondents in the suit will jettison idea of appealing the court ruling.
“I’m urging members of the PDP, supporters and Arochukwu constituents to remain steadfast, because, our total victory is on the way”.
The post ABIA : Tribunal Sacks Mike Ukoha, orders fresh Election appeared first on YawaNews.ng.
