Abia Tribunal Nullifies Election, Bars APGA From Rerun

The National and State Assemblies Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has nullified the election of Emeka Nnamani of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April 11, 2015 elections.

The tribunal also barred him from participating in the rerun it ordered, Vanguard reports.

The election was annulled on the ground that Nnamani, representing Aba North state constituency was ab initio not qualified to contest the election.

He was alleged to still be a member of the PDP in his home state, Enugu while he contested the election on the platform of APGA in Abia State where he resides.

The petition against the APGA candidate was filed by Blessing Nwagba of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In his ruling, Justice Sabiu Yahuza, the chairman of the tribunal said: “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 tribunal ordered for a fresh election to be conducted but barred APGA from participating in it.

The rerun would be between the petitioner’s party, PDP, and the other candidates from the other parties that participated in the April election.

Recall that Chief K. C. Nwufo, lawyer to the petitioner, had told the tribunal that Nnamani told lies with regard to his educational qualification, alleging that he never graduated from the University of Port Harcourt as claimed.

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