Tribunal Nullifies Labour Party Rep, Declares PDP Candidate Winner in Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency
ENUGU, Nigeria – In a landmark ruling, the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Enugu has invalidated the election victory of Professor Sunday Nnamchi, the Labour Party’s candidate, as the House of Representatives member for the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency in Enugu State. The tribunal has declared Prince Cornelius Nnaji, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, as the rightful winner of the election held on February 25, 2023.
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Prince Nnaji, a former one-term federal lawmaker, initiated the legal action, contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Nnamchi as the victor. He argued that Nnamchi was not duly sponsored and qualified to contest the election under the Labour Party’s banner.
The three-man panel of justices, led by A. M. Abubakar, unanimously concurred with the petitioner’s claim that the Labour Party’s candidate did not meet the necessary qualifications to participate in the election.
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This ruling represents a significant turn of events in the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency’s political landscape. It underscores the importance of adherence to electoral regulations and the consequences that may arise when a candidate’s eligibility is called into question.
The decision of the tribunal has far-reaching implications for both political parties involved, as well as the constituents of the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency. Prince Cornelius Nnaji is now set to assume office as the duly elected representative for the constituency.
As with any legal proceeding of this magnitude, the details of the tribunal’s decision are expected to be made available in the near future. This case serves as a reminder of the critical role that election tribunals play in upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that only qualified candidates are elected to represent the people.
This development marks another chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions and uphold the principles of free and fair elections.
