Abia tribunal annuls election, bars APGA from re-run

UMUAHIA—THE National and State Assemblies Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has barred the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, from participating in a fresh election it ordered in Aba North State Constituency.

The tribunal has nullified the election of Mr. Emeka Nnamani of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, representing Aba North State Constituency on the ground that he was ab initio not qualified to contest the election held on April 11, 2015.

Delivering judgment in the petition filed by Dr. Blessing Nwagba of PDP challenging the election of Nnamani, the tribunal nullified his election and ordered a fresh election in the constituency but said that APGA would not participate in the fresh election.

According to the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Sabiu Yahuza, “the petitioner, Dr. Nwagba proved the allegation of non-qualification leveled against the respondent as his name was not in the register of his Eziama Ward of his party, APGA, and ought not to have participated in the said election.”

The panel however exempted APGA from participating in the re-run of the election, saying that it would be between the petitioner’s party, PDP, and the other candidates from the other parties that participated in the April election.

On the allegation that Nnamani forged the certificate of University of Port Harcourt, the tribunal directed the police to investigate the matter and prosecute the respondent if found culpable.

It would be recalled that during the trial, the tribunal admitted in evidence a letter from the Registrar of the University of Port Harcourt  disowning Nnamani as a graduate of the University.