The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, convened in Enugu State, has invalidated the election victory of Hon. Okey Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18 House of Assembly poll for Nkanu East constituency. The decision comes following a petition filed by the Labour Party candidate, Surv. Okwudiri Nnaji, and it underscores the imperative adherence to the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had initially declared Hon. Okey Mbah as the victor of the election. However, the tribunal’s ruling on Friday has challenged the integrity of the electoral process, asserting that it failed to meet the stipulated requirements of the 2022 Electoral Act.
A three-man panel, presided over by Honourable Justice Adie Attoe Onyebueke, delivered the verdict, ultimately deeming the election inconclusive. The tribunal’s decision mandates a rerun in select polling units within the Ugbawka and Owo wards, citing discrepancies where the number of votes cast exceeded the number of registered and accredited voters in those specific areas. The tribunal’s scrutiny raised substantial concerns over the integrity of INEC’s return.
Consequently, the tribunal has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a rerun election in the affected polling units within a 90-day timeframe. This directive aims to rectify the irregularities and ensure that the electoral process aligns with the statutory requirements set forth in the 2022 Electoral Act.
