This Day

Tribunal Sacks PDP Lawmaker in Ebonyi

From Christopher Isiguzo in Abakaliki, 10.13.2007

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, yesterday nullified the result of the April 14 House of Assembly elections in Afikpo North-east constituency in which Mr. Ben Ndubuisi Isu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was earlier declared winner.

Hon. Isu has however given an indication that he was heading for the Appeal Court, as he rejected the outcome of the petition on grounds that the tribunal did not have enough evidence to invalidate his election.

The decision of the tribunal was the outcome of the petition filed by the candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in the said election, Barrister Nnachi Egwu, which alleged that the election was characterised by serious electoral malpractices and flagrant disregard to the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The latest development brought to two the number of seats so far nullified in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. The tribunal had last month equally nullified the election of Hon. Sylvester Nwite also of the PDP from Onicha West constituency.

In a judgment delivered by the tribunal presided over by Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also asked to conduct fresh election in the constituency within 90 days.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme maintained that there was substantial evidence before the tribunal to show that INEC did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act in the conduct of the House of Assembly election in Afikpo North-east, adding that the petitioner was also able to prove beyond every reasonable doubt that the entire exercise was manipulated.

“The evidence available before this tribunal shows that the allegation of ballot box stuffing and hijacking, as was raised by the petitioner was substantially in order and the election is hereby nullified. The INEC is hereby directed to conduct fresh election in the constituency within 90 days,” the tribunal chairman stated.

It could be recalled that the election also last month dismissed the petitions challenging the elections of Senator Julius Ucha (PDP- Ebonyi Central) and Hon. Innocent Uo-Chima representing Ezza South/Ikwo constituency in the House of Representatives.