Abia North: Election Tribunal Begins Sitting, Kalu’s Supporters Confident Of Victory

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, Politics Saturday, April 16th, 2016

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Umuahia

The election petition tribunal for the Abia North senatorial re-run poll held on March 5th 2016, has commenced sitting in Umuahia, on the petition filed by Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) against the peoples Democratic party PDP candidate, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa and Independent National Election Commission INEC.

AFRICAN EXAMINER recalled that Ohuabunwa, was declared winner by INEC,after he polled 26,009 votes to defeat Kalu, who garnered (25,814 votes), while David Bourdex- Onuoha of. All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA scored (13,633 votes).

However, supporters of the ex- Abia Governor, are confident that he (Kalu) will reclaimed is alleged stolen mandate via the judiciary.

Deputy Campaign Chairman of the Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) Campaign Committee, for Ohafia council area Chief Ndukwe Oju Uka Orji, has said that the mammoth crowd present at the court during the tribunal sitting friday was overwhelming.

Speaking to newsmen at the end of the tribunal sitting, he said it was “a clear indication that Abians are also keenly involved in the quest to recover Kalu’s stolen mandate during the March 5 re-run senatorial election”.

“I was privileged to witness the mammoth crowd that came to the court in solidarity with OUK’s quest to recover the stolen mandate that was wholeheartedly given to him by the people of Abia North.

“The crowd was incomparable to the times when people were either coerced, hired or sponsored to appear for an event by the current main opposition party in our country.

“This crowd was a good testimony of the confidence, trust and acceptance of OUK based on his achievements and political doggedness during and after his tenure as the Abia State governor.”

Okptemba also expressed strong belief that justice would be enthroned as the flaws of the March 5, re-run senatorial election would be fully addressed by the judiciary.