Tribunal ruled against victory of Senator Nnaji …..ordered fresh election
Felix Okoye
National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Enugu State has set aside the victory of Senator Gilbert Nnaji of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, representing Enugu East District and ordered a fresh election.
Former Governor of the State, Chimaroke Nnamani, who contested on the platform of the People for Democratic Change, PDC, had dragged Nnaji before the tribunal.
The Panel headed by Justice Mathew Aderawa held that the conduct of the election did not comply with the 2010 Electoral Act.
The Tribunal stated in the judgment that although the respondent claimed to have used incident forms in place of card readers, there was no evidence to support such.
It, therefore, held that there were much cancellations, mutilations and ulterations to justify a fresh election.
Justice Mathew Aderawa, delivered the judgement inter alia: “The first respondent while trying to deny that irregularities marred the election, exposed more mutilations of results in polling stations where he won. Ballot papers were not accounted for, which affected the outcome of the result. Irregularities occurred in the six Local Government Areas that constitute the senatorial district.
“Sufficient evidence laid before this tribunal showed that the first respondent inflated results while deflating the petitioners’ result.
“These irregularities and non compliance were substantial to mar the outcome of the election. The petitioner has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the election did not comply with the provisions of the electoral act 2010.
“Based on the foregoing, we hereby void the election and order a fresh election.”