Anambra LGA Election Tribunal Sacks Ogbaru Council Chairman

Posted by African Examiner News, Politics Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Awka

The Obi Anizoba led Anambra State Local Government Election petition Tribunal, Onitsha zone has nullified the election of Chief Victor Agulue of the All progressive Grand Alliance APGA, as the Chairman of Ogbaru council Area.

With the judgment, Chief Agulue, is expected to immediately vacate his seat, as the executive chairman of the local government council.

However, his lawyer, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has not given any indication if he will appeal the judgment.

The petitioner, Chief Zeribe Ezeanuna of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had gone to court challenging the election of the APGA candidate based on his argument that no election was conducted in the January 11 Local Government election in the area.

Ruling on the petition, the tribunal chairman, submitted that from the evidence before the court, it was convinced that no election was held in many areas of Ogbaru as the Anambra state Independent Electoral Commission ANSIEC officials could not tender reliable documents indicating that there was election.

In his reaction, the petitioner, Chief Ezeanuna who physically present in court told journalists that the judgment was an indication that the court is the last hope of the common man.

Also reacting council to the petitioner, Barr. Chidiebere Ezem said that his client’s victory was premised on the inability of ANSIEC to file documents to defend the purported election in the council area, adding that the victory was good for Nigeria’s democracy which particularly Anambra state.