The governorship candidate of the Labour Party–LP, in Enugu State, Honourable Chijioke Edeoga, has rejected the judgment of the election petition tribunal that affirmed Dr Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party—PDP, as the duly elected governor of the state.
Recall that Mr Chijioke Edeoga had approached the tribunal to challenge Mbah’s victory in the last election on the grounds that he was not qualified to stand for the poll.
He accused the PDP governor of forging his National Youth Service Corps—NYSC certificate.
Edeoga also made allegation of over-voting in Udenu, Nkanu East and Enugu East local government areas.
But the tribunal headed by Justice Kudirat Murayo Akano on Thursday, dismissed all grounds of petition and declared that governor Peter Mbah was validly elected.
However, reacting to the tribunal ruling, Mr George Ugwu, spokesman of Edeoga/Nwokeabia campaign organisation, declared that Mr Edeoga and Labour Party—LP will pursue judgement at the appellate court.
It called on the party supporters across the State and in other parts of the country to remain calm and law abiding while the legal team of the party pursue justice at the court.
The statement reads, “On Thursday, September 21, 2023, the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal delivered its judgement on the petition brought by the Labour Party and its candidate, Barr Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga, following the outcome of the March 18, 2023 Governorship elections in the state, which was announced in favour of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barr. Peter Mbah.
“We wish to convey the acknowledgment by the Labour Party and its candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, of the judgement as delivered at the tribunal, and to state our preparedness to challenge the outcome of this judgement at the Court of Appeal and to all extents as permitted by law.
“To this end, we urge our supporters across the State and in other parts of the country to remain calm, law-abiding, and to go about their businesses without fear or hindrance.
“We retain a firm belief in justice, and will go the full extent legally possible in ensuring that the hopes of Enugu people who turned out in their numbers to vote for Labour Party candidates on March 18, 2023 are realised.”
