REJECTION OF THE ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL VERDICT.
This is to inform the General Public that we reject in its entirety the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal handling the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency Election Matters.
The Tribunal had on Saturday 8th September, 2023 struck out our petition challenging the illegal declaration of Chief Ibe Okwara as the winner of the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency election conducted by INEC on February 25th, 2023.
INEC had erroneously declared Mr. Ibe Okwara as the winner of the said ‘inconclusive election’ where about 50,000 eligible voters (including myself) in 72 polling units were defranchized with the commission labeling Ohafia as ‘Ipob Enclave’.
That formed our decision to head to the Tribunal. We were therefore surprised that the Tribunal struck out the case without thoroughly looking at its merits.
To further compound our shock at the verdict on Saturday, the Tribunal today declared the Candidate of the APC Winner of the same inconclusive election in a separate ruling.
This is pure injustice and it is totally unacceptable to us. We will not fold our arms and allow INEC and other key players in the Electoral matter defranchize the people of Ohafia for their selfish interests.
We have discussed extensively with our Lawyers and have concluded to head to the Appeal Court to seek Justice and not Judgment.
We are only pleading that the Electoral Umpire should live up to its expectation by conducting election in the affected areas (by Isiama & Okamu wards and other Communities in Abiriba where the election did not take place) as the number of defranchized eligible voters far exceeds the winning margin.
Let me use this medium to thank all those who have strongly supported us while the judgment lasted and at the same time plead with our supporters and the people of Ohafia to remain calm and law abiding as we push to get justice.
Thank You!
Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu
PDP Candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.
