The National and State Assemblies Election Tribunal sitting in Awka has upheld the election and declaration of Senator Andy Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party as having been validly returned for Anambra South Senatorial Zone in the last general elections.
The tribunal in its judgment delivered yesterday in Awka dismissed the petition filed by Chief Chuma Nzeribe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance against the election of Uba “for lack of merit”.
The tribunal chairman, Hon. Justice Pat Onajite-Kuejubola, in the unanimous decision said that Nzeribe and his APGA failed to prove their allegations that there was falsification of election results in the zone, beyond all reasonable doubts.
It also declared that Nzeribe failed to prove that the massive irregularities he alleged in his petition substantially affected the outcome of the result of the election.
“Consequently,” Onajite-Kuejubola said, “the petition lacking in merit is hereby dismissed in its entirety.
“It is hereby declared that the declaration of return of the First respondent (Uba) by the Second Respondent (INEC) on Form EC8E from Anambra Souty Senatorial zone held on the 9th of April 2011 remains valid and lawful,” the tribunal chairman said.
Counsel to APGA, Mr. Theophime Ogwuchi, said the tribunal erred when it refused to be convinced by the clear evidence the party used to challenge the election of Uba.
He said his clients would appeal against the judgment.
