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Protesters block INEC’s office over tribunal’s verdict on Imo West senatorial seat

By Collins Osuji (Owerri), Yetunde Ayobami Ojo (Lagos) and Osiberoha Osibe (Awka)
12 September 2019   |   4:13 am
Thousands of Imo State youths yesterday caused heavy traffic on major roads of Owerri, while protesting against the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal on Imo West senatorial...

Court upholds Jibrin, Ibezim, Dimka’s victory in Kano, Anambra, Plateau
Thousands of Imo State youths yesterday caused heavy traffic on major roads of Owerri, while protesting against the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal on Imo West senatorial district poll of March 9, 2019.

The irate youths, from Orlu Zone proceeded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office where they asked the electoral umpire to join in the suit to appeal the tribunal’s verdict.

Speaking under the aegis of Orlu Zone Youth Platform and Orluzurumee, Orient Nnwadike and Marcus Ben described the ruling as unacceptable and a miscarriage of justice.

They appealed to the judiciary and other relevant authorities to ensure that the verdict was revisited and the mandate given to the rightful winner, who according to them was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jones Onyereri.

Responding, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Francis Ezeonu, who was represented by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Emmanuella Ben-Opara, assured the youths that INEC would always be available to testify in court.

This came after claims by INEC staff, Prof. Innocent Ibeawuchi, who served as Returning Officer for the election that he declared the results in favour of Rochas Okorocha under duress.

Besides, the Elections Petition Tribunal in Kano has affirmed Abdulmumin Jibrin of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the February 27, 2019 Bebeji/Kiru Federal Constituency elections.

In a unanimous decision it dismissed the petition filed by Aliyu Datti Yako and the PDP challenging Jibrin’s victory at the poll.

The tribunal headed by Justice Nayai Aganaba with justices Ashu Augustine Ewah and Mustapha Tijjani as members held that the petitioners failed to prove the allegations in their petitions against the respondents.

Meanwhile, the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka, Anambra State has dismissed the appeal of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Obinna Chidoka, who challenged the declaration of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Ifeanyichukwu Ibezim as winner of the House of Representatives election for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency.

In his petition marked ETP/AN/HR/25/2019, Chidoka claimed that INEC wrongfully returned Ibezim as winner, claiming that INEC should have returned him (Chidoka) as the authentic winner, rather than declare the election inconclusive and fixed March 9, 2019 for rescheduled exercise.

Also in Plateau State, the Tribunal upheld the victory of APC’s Ezekiah Dimka as winner of the 2019 general elections. His rival, Kefas Peter Dandam of PDP had challenged the results at the tribunal in Jos.

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