{"id":69297,"date":"2019-09-21T11:40:20","date_gmt":"2019-09-21T10:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=69297"},"modified":"2019-09-21T11:40:20","modified_gmt":"2019-09-21T10:40:20","slug":"abia-gov-tribunal-affirms-ikpeazus-election-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/abia-gov-tribunal-affirms-ikpeazus-election-2\/","title":{"rendered":"ABIA GOV: TRIBUNAL AFFIRMS IKPEAZU’S ELECTION"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
The governorship election petition tribunal sitting at Umuahia, the Abia<\/div>\n
\n
State capital, has affirmed the election of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the
\ngovernor of the State.<\/p>\n

Candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA), Dr. Alex Otti
\nand his party, who came third at the governorship election held on 9th
\nMarch 2019 had approached the tribunal seeking nullification of
\nIkpeazu’s election as governor.<\/p>\n

Otti had asked for rerun in 15 local government areas of the State<\/p>\n

Chairman of the three panel, Justice Lekan Ogumoye, in his ruling
\ndismissed the petition filed by Otti and APGA, as lacking in merit.<\/p>\n

Justice Ogumoye said the petitioners failed to prove the alleged non
\ncompliance to the Electoral Guidelines in the 15 local government areas,
\nthat they could not prove the allegation of over-voting and
\nirregularities, which they ought to have done polling unit by polling
\nunit and Ward by Ward.<\/p>\n

The tribunal stated that all the reliefs sought by Otti and APGA were
\ndismissed because they could not prove the criminal allegations beyond
\nreasonable doubt stressing that it was not the duty of the tribunal to
\ninvestigate such allegations and described the application as
\nunmeritorious.<\/p>\n

Describing the evidence adduced by the petitioners, as hearsay, the
\ntribunal held that their witnesses were Ward, local government and state
\ncollation agents who were not physically present to witness the action
\nas their evidence.<\/p>\n

It also said the petitioners alleged over voting in 798 polling units
\nbut only called witnesses in few polling units, adding that the action
\namounted to dumping of documents on the tribunal while it was not its
\nduty to investigate.<\/p>\n

Counsel to Gov. Ikpeazu, Chief Paul Ananaba, SAN, commended the Tribunal
\nfor delivering what he considered as unbiased and sound judgment.<\/p>\n

Representative of Dr.Otti’s lead counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said “the
\njudgment has moved the law forward. The position of the tribunal is that
\nthe decision of the Supreme Court in the case regarding card reader is
\nno longer the law. The law has been amended. The tribunal actually
\nagreed that the law has changed. There is an amendment now.”<\/p>\n

In his reaction to the judgment, Gov. Ikpeazu extended hand of
\nfellowship to Dr Otti to join in developing the state. According to him,
\nthere is space for everybody to contribute to the development of the
\nstate. He assured that his administration will be more committed and
\ndedicated in its service to the people.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The governorship election petition tribunal sitting at Umuahia, the Abia State capital, has affirmed the election of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the governor of the State. 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