Political Briefs
–
THE Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Thursday, September 3, struck out the appeal filed by Emeka Ihedioha, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenging the earlier ruling of the Election Petitions Tribunal which dismissed his petition against the victory of Governor Rochas Okorocha in the 2015 governorship election on grounds of service.
Delivering the verdict, Justice Ejimbi Eko observed that the appeal was competent but dismissed the petition on the grounds of service.
Reacting to the judgement, Okorocha commended the Appeal Court for also upholding the ruling of the Election Petitions Tribunal and striking out the appeal.
According to the governor, the Appeal Court had equally justified the peoples’ confidence in the ability and readiness of the judiciary to uphold justice and also respect the popular and lawful actions of the people over who would govern them at any given time.
Similarly, Miletus Nnebedim, counsel to Okorocha, praised the appellate court for upholding the decision of the tribunal which had earlier dismissed the case on technical grounds.
But this is not pleasing to Ihedioha. He has thus, directed Mike Ahamba, SAN, his counsel, to take the matter to the Supreme Court and seek redress against the Appeal Court ruling.
The former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives said he was convinced that he scored the highest lawful votes cast during the governorship election and should have rather been declared winner by the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC.
Ahamba also said it was gratifying that the substantive matter was in his client’s favour but regretted that the Appeal Court had to strike out the case for mere excuses.
— Sep 14, 2015 @ 01:00 GMT
|
Tags:
