Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 18, Governorship Election in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, against Governor Peter Mbah of the PDP.
Nnaji is challenging the victory of Mbah at the poll, as well as asking the tribunal to disqualify, Hon Barr Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party and Frank Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, that came second and third respectively.
The petitioner told the court that the candidates of the three other political parties were not qualified to contest the election and as such, he should be declared the winner of the election as the only qualified candidate for the contest.
In a ruling delivered by, Justice K. M. Akano, the court held that the petition was not filed in line with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Nnaji asked the appellate Court to send back the dismissed petition to the Tribunal for hearing and determination of the suit.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the Tribunal and dismissed the suit.
It further awarded the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira against each of the Petitioners (Uche Nnaji and APC).
