The Labour Party House of representatives candidate in the 2023 general elections for Nkanu East/West Constituency Enugu state, Barr. John Amechi Edeh has vowed to appeal the judgment of the Tribunal sitting in Enugu.
Chief Edeh who is challenging the declaration of PDP’s Nnoli Nnaji by INEC, alleged that the House of Reps election for Nkanu East/West federal constituency held on 25 February, fell shot of all indices of a fair, transparent and credible election and prayed the tribunal to order for rerun as the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices as well as non compliance with the electoral act.
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According to him, mutulation of figures, multiple thumb printing on ballot papers, results swap at the local government collation centers, non use of BVAS in polling units of Akegbe-ugwu ward 1 and Ibite Akegbe-ugwu, as well as other wards in Nkanu East LGA, voters intimidation and use of PDP thugs to coerce voters, marred the entire process.
But Counsel to Nnoli Nnaji argued that the election was free and fair.
He told the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit and averred that Barr. John Edeh, candidate of the Labour Party was at the time of the election not constitutionally qualified to contest having failed to resign from PDP.
Delivering her judgment on Saturday, the three man tribunal ruled that the issue of nomination is entirely a pre-election matter and that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain such matter.
It said “based on evidences before the Tribunal, the first Petitioner resigned his membership of the PDP and was duly sponsored by the second petitioner to contest. Even if he didn’t resign, it is a pre-election matter”.
However, the tribunal later struck out the petition for lacking in merit and declined awarding any cost on the Petitioners.
Reacting to the judgment, Chief Barr. John Edeh (Okaa Oburuzo) said he would appeal the judgment.
Edeh called on his teeming supporters to remain calm and law-abiding as he would get justice in Appeal Court.
