Appeal Court sitting in Enugu on Tuesday dismissed the suit filed by the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 general elections in Enugu state, Chief Uche Nnaji.
Nnaji whose petition was initially dismissed by the Enugu governorship election Petitions Tribunal, had approached the appellate Court to seek redress.
Daily Gazette recall that the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu had on June 20, 2023 dismissed the petition filed by Mr. Nnaji and his party, the APC, challenging the outcome of the Enugu governorship election wherein the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced Mr. Peter Mba of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, winner of the polls.
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In that Petition, 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.
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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.
Dissatisfied with the rulling, Chief Nnaji told the Appeal Court to send back the dismissed petition to the Tribunal for hearing and determination of the suit.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the Tribunal and dismissed the suit.
It further awarded the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira to each of the Petitioners (Uche Nnaji and APC).
Chief Uche Nnaji
Daily Gazette recall that the APC Governorship candidate pulled a total of 14,575 votes to come distant fourth in the election.
