Dissatisfied with the dismissal of his petition by the Enugu Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, Chief Uche Nnaji, candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 general elections in Enugu state has approached the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu to seek redress.
Advertorial
The Election Petitions Tribunal had on June 20, 2023 dismissed the petition filed by Mr. Nnaji & APC challenging the outcome of the Enugu governorship election wherein the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced Mr. Peter Mba of the People’s Democratic party, PDP, winner of the polls.
In his Petition, Chief Uche Nnaji said Mr. Peter Mba of the PDP was at the time of the election not constitutionally qualified to contest, having presented forged certificate to INEC.
It further said that Mr. Mbah was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election as the process was marred by substantial non compliance with the electoral act, among other issues.
But the judge in her rulling said the petition with the suit number EPT/EN/GOV/05/23 was abandoned and cannot be entertained pursuant to paragraph 18(3) (4) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Chief Nnaji is therefore praying the Appeal Court to send back the dismissed petition to the Tribunal for hearing and determination of the suit.
Appeal Court sitting in Enugu will on Tuesday, 11th July 2023, commence hearing on the matter.
Daily Gazette recall that the APC Governorship candidate pulled a total of 14,575 votes to come distant fourth in the election.
Uche Nnaji
