The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu on Friday upheld the decision of the Enugu National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which struck out the petition filed by the House of Reps candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Enugu North/South federal Constituency, Mrs. Juliet Egbo, challenging the victory of the Labour Party candidate, Hon. Chima Atu.
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Atu who was declared winner of the election by the INEC returning officer, Dr. Mrs. Evelyn Ijeoma Ezepue, secured a total of 65,247 votes to defeat his closest rival, Hon. Nonso Nnamani of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)who polled 9,215 votes.
Not satisfied with the decision of the tribunal,
Mrs. Juliet Egbo asked the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment of the lower court and declare her winner of the election.
Delivering her judgment on Friday, the Appeal Court struck out Juliet Egbo’s petition for lacking in merit and upheld the decision of the tribunal.
The Court ruled that the Tribunal did not err in her decision because Mrs. Egbo’s petition was lacking in evidence.
Daily Gazette recall that Mrs. Juliet Egbo of the APC came distant fourth in the election with 2,394 votes, while Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo of the Peoples Democratic party came third with 7,617 votes.
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In his verified Twitter handle, Hon. Chima Atu of the Labour Party while announcing the decision of the Appeal Court, described the judgment as a victory for Democracy and Rule Of Law.
Atu thanked Ndi Enugu North/South federal constituency for their continued support and solidarity, assuring them of a robust representation anchored on the will of the people.
“Fellow Obidients and my respected constituents, few minutes ago, the Court of Appeal brought to a conclusive end the legal battle initiated by the APC candidate against the victory you freely gave us in the February elections. This is victory for democracy and the rule of law.”
“This judgment has brought to an end the long legal battle against our collective victory. I shall remain faithful to the ideals of the Obidient Movement and the yearnings of my constituents. We shall work like never before to deliver on all that we promised. Very grateful to God”
Mrs. Juliet Egbo and Hon. Chimaobi Atu
