Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu has upheld the election of Barrister Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the duly elected governor of the state.
In the Judgment delivered on Thursday, the three-man panel of Justices led by Kudirat Akano, ruled that the Labour Party, LP, and its candidate in the election failed to provide sufficient evidence in all their pleas including the case of alleged certificate forgery brought against Mbah.
The tribunal held that, Mbah did not submit his NYSC certificate to INEC in aid of his qualification to contest for office of governor, since he was already qualified without NYSC certificate.
Tribunal rejected Edeoga’s witnesses and ruled that the LP governorship candidate did not present any admissible evidence to prove that Mbah’s certificate was forged.
In a related development, the petition filled by the candidate of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Chris Agu against the election of the governor was also dismissed by tribunal, citing lack of proven evidence of Mbah’s certificate forgery.
The chairman of the Tribunal, Kudirat Akano, while delivering judgment on the petition dismissed the allegation of PRP governorship candidate that Governor Peter Mbah’s NYSC certificate was forged.
The Tribunal further ruled that Governor Peter Mbah was duly elected by majority of votes cast at the election
The Tribunal also ruled that the governorship election of March 18 and the return of Governor Peter Mbah as winner complied with the provisions of Electoral Act 2022.
