Enugu LGA Tribunal Sacks PDP Councillor Over APC Petition

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

The Local Government Election Petition Tribunal Sitting in Enugu has nullified the election of Hon Michael Kelle of the PDP as councilor representing Awgu Ward 1 in Awgu Local Government Council of the State.

The court presided over by Barrister Umunna Ugwu ordered the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission ordered ENSIEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to the candidate of PDP and to conduct a re-run election within two weeks.

Delivering judgment in the Petition with No. EP/5/2013 between Hon Chief Felix Okwudirichukwu Ogbonna of APC and Michael Kelle, PDP and Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission ENSIEC monday, the tribunal nullified the election on the ground of substantial non-compliance with the Local Government Law of Enugu State 2004, the election guidelines and manual which non-compliance substantially affected the outcome of the election.

Reacting to the development, Enugu state Chairman of APC, Dr. Ben Nwoye said:

“It is an indication that things are changing in the political space of Enugu State because it is the first time a panel set by the state government is giving such verdict in favour of an opposition party.

“Today, history has been made because what has happened is a warning to the PDP of what will happen to it in the 2015 elections in Enugu State and Nigeria in general”. He stated

Nwoye, however reiterated the APC’s resolve to resist all manner of electoral frauds or irregularities by the PDP in the forthcoming general election.

He stated that with this development, APC has exposed yet another electoral fraud by the PDP in Enugu State.

He commended the judiciary for promoting the inalienable rights of the good people of Enugu State to elect their true leaders by halting the antics of the Peoples Democratic Party to erode the democratic rights of the people.