APGA Reps Candidate Floors PDP At Tribunal Pre-Trial

THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the March 28 election for the Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Mr Dozie Nwankwo has floored the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Dr Nnamdi Eze at the tribunal pre-trial hearing.

The Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Awka, Anambra state, was presided over by Justice Nayai Aganaba.

This came on the heels of an Abuja High court’s order removing Mr Emeka Idu of the PDP in Onitsha Federal Constituency for Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu, also of the PDP, over nomination matter.

It was established that Nwankwo, a much popular candidate, was found to have polled the highest number of lawful votes cast in the election, and should have been returned elected.

However, Eze, in a dramatic turn, argued the validity of some of the votes of Nwankwo.

Key issues for determination, among others, included who between Nwankwo and Eze polled the highest number of valid votes and ought to be returned elected. 

Incidentally, the first respondent, which is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), could only muster what lawyers described as ‘general denial’, without any effort at substantiation of the disputed figures it declared as results.

This, according to counsels in the matter, means that the petitioner has already discharged the burden of proof of his petition even before the commencement of the main trial, which has now been fixed for July 16, 17, 20 and 21.