Imo: Tribunal Nullifies Senator Gil Nnaji’s Election, Orders Fresh Poll

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, October 12th, 2015

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

The National Assembly (NASS) Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu on monday nullified the election of Senator Gilbert Nnaji, of the peoples Democratic party PDP, representing Enugu East senatorial district.

AFRICAN EXAMINER recalled that the election was held on March 28 this year.

It ordered for a fresh election be conducted within ninety days.

The tribunal held that the election did not comply with the 2010 Electoral Act as it was characterised by irregularities.

Delivering judgement on the petition, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Matthew Adewara, said allegations of alteration of results, multilations and cancellation were proven by the petitioners and nullified the result.

Relying heavily on the evidence of the forensic expert, who testified on behalf of the petitioner, and ex- governor of the state, Dr. Nnamani, the tribunal held that irregularities alleged in the conduct of the election were “gross and fundamental,” and that does not comply with the rule on accreditation of voters and with proven cases of multiple voting, ballot box snuffing and over voting is nullity.

Nnamani, who represented the senatorial district between 2003- 2007, had filed the petition at the tribunal, challenging the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nnaji as winner in the election.

The former governor, who ran the election under Peoples For Democratic Change, PDC, alleged that there were widespread irregularities, malpractices and corruption in the conduct of the election.

He also alleged, in the petition, that the conduct of the election was not in substantial compliance of the 2010 Electoral Act.

He said that his agents in some polling units in Isi Uzo Local Government were intimidated, while there were cases of voting rigging, ballot box snuffing and multilation of result sheets.

He equally prayed the tribunal to nullify the result of the election and declare him winner.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the tribunal verdict, counsel to Nnamani, Olusegun Jolawo, expressed satisfaction with the judgement, but said their team would have been happier if his client had been returned as winner

In his reaction, counsel to INEC, Mr Wilfred Nwabude, stated that the commission would look into the judgement and know its next line of action.

Meanwhile, shortly after the judgement, Nnamani’s supporter went into wild jubilation, expressing the hope that the ex- Governor will be victorious in the forthcoming fresh poll.