Tribunal Disqualifies Three Labour Party Representatives, Orders Rerun
Tribunal Disqualifies Three Labour Party In a recent development, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, made significant rulings that have shaken the political landscape. The tribunal, led by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, delivered verdicts that have far-reaching implications for three House of Representatives members elected under the banner of the Labour Party.
- Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency – Ibe Okwara Osunwa DisqualifiedThe tribunal handed down a ruling against Mr. Ibe Okwara Osunwa, the representative of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency. The disqualification was based on non-compliance with the Electoral Act of 2022, following a petition filed by Daniel Okeke, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.In response to the ruling, the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the certificate of return previously issued to Osunwa and reissue it to Okeke.
- Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency – Munachim Alozie’s Election NullifiedAnother panel, presided over by Justice Hajaratu Hajjo Lawa, nullified the election of Munachim Alozie, the representative of Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency. The tribunal decreed a rerun within the next 90 days in accordance with constitutional provisions.The tribunal’s decision was based on the assertion that the Labour Party candidate, Alozie, had been erroneously declared the winner and could not legitimately hold the position. The judgment was delivered by Prof. Muhammad Mahmud on behalf of the three-member panel chaired by Lawal. It was noted that the number of leads in the election exceeded the number of voters who were disenfranchised in certain polling units but had collected their Permanent Voters Cards.Ibe Michael Nwoke, the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), had approached the court, contesting the validity of Alozie’s election and demanding its annulment. Nwoke argued that Alozie’s election was invalid due to the margin of lead.While counsel to YPP’s candidate expressed satisfaction with the ruling, the LP’s counsel expressed intentions to appeal the case.
- Aba North and South Federal Constituency – Emeka Nnamani’s Disqualification for Certificate ForgeryIn another significant development, a separate tribunal panel invalidated the election of Mr. Emeka Nnamani, the representative of Aba North and South Federal Constituency. Nnamani was disqualified on the grounds of certificate forgery.Consequently, the tribunal declared Alex Ikwueche, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election, as the rightful winner. The tribunal directed INEC to revoke the certificate of return previously issued to Nnamani and issue a new one to Ikwueche.
Tribunal Disqualifies Three Labour Party These rulings by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal have not only altered the political landscape but also raised questions about the adherence to electoral regulations and the credibility of elected representatives. The repercussions of these decisions are likely to reverberate throughout the political sphere in the coming months.For more news updates visit thedailycourierng