The Labour Party and it’s chairmanship candidate for Awgu Local Government area in the just-concluded Enugu local government election, Hon. Cajetan Aganigbo, has filed a suit against the Awgu local government Council Chairman, Hon. Uche Okolo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) at the Local Government Council Election Tribunal, seeking the cancellation of the election.
In petition number EPT/02/2024, the petitioners told the tribunal that the PDP candidate did not secure the majority of lawful votes cast during the election, which was held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Counsel to the petitioners, Chief Sir O.A.U. Onyema, argued that the results announced by ENSIEC were inaccurate, as the PDP candidate did not receive any valid votes.
He maintained that ENSIEC, based on erroneous recorded votes, wrongfully declared Hon. Uche Okolo as the winner.
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The petitioners told the court that the election was marred by irregularities, which include; over-voting, non-compliance with electoral guidelines, and manipulation of results in favor of the PDP candidate.
The petitioners among other things are seeking an order of the Honourable Tribunal declaring the 2nd Respondent not qualified to contest the elections into the Chairmanship position of Awgu Local Government Council.
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“AN ORDER setting aside the declaration and return of the 2nd Respondent as Chairman Awgu Local Government Council for non-compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended), the Electoral Act, 2022; the Enugu State Local Government Law 2020, and the ENSIEC Guidelines for the Conduct of the Local Government Election 2024.”
“A DECLARATION that the 21st September 2024 Local Government Election in Awgu LGA, failed in all ramification and any result or award or return emanating from same is incorrect, illegal, null and void and of effect.”
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“AN ORDER of this honourable Tribunal declaring as INVALID the unlawful votes ascribed to the 2nd Respondent, and directing the 1st Respondent to immediately withdraw the Certificate of return issued to the 2nd respondent, within 7 days of this Order.”
“An Order of Tribunal declaring as illegal and unlawful all acts performed, or purported to have been performed by the 2nd respondent, while relying on the Certificate of return, and the following oath of allegiance to the Office of Executive Chairman, subscribed by him.”
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“An Order of Tribinal commanding 2nd Respondent to return to the Awgu Local Government Treasury under oath, all salaries, allowances and emoluments collected under the guise of the winner of the Chairmanship of Awgu Local Government Council purportedly held on 21st day of September, 2024; and under the guise of the elected Chairman.”
“AN ORDER directing the 1st respondent to CONDUCT a fresh credible and transparent Local Government Election in Awgu LGA, of Enugu State, with 30 days of this order.”
