Tribunal upholds Orji’s election

The National Assembly election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia yesterday upheld the victory of immediate past governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, of the People Democratic Party (PDP) as  Senator representing Abia-central district.
The tribunal dismissed the petition filled by Mr. Ahamdi Nwake of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) on ground of incompetence.
Delivering judgement, one of judges, Justice Ime Umana, held that the petitioner failed to join PDP as one of his respondents, saying the first respondent contested election on the platform of a political party, not as an independent candidate.
Justice Umana also pointed out that the petitioner made criminal allegations against some persons who were not respondents in his petition.
He maintained that the APGA candidate failed to prove his allegation beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Umana further stated that the petitioner failed to state the units, wards, and local government where the alleged irregularities took place in his petition.
He said the petitioner also failed in his prayers to state the total number of votes cast, and scores allotted each candidate, adding, ‘‘if votes were properly recorded, he would have scored unspecified number of votes likewise the respondent. The relief has no verifiable basis’’.