Enugu Tribunal Upholds Election of Ogara of LP Representing Igboeze South
Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu on Saturday, upheld the election of Honourable Harrison Ogara of the Labour Party (LP).
Ogara represents Igbo-Eze South State Constituency in the state house of assembly.
Tochukwu Ozioko of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had petitioned the tribunal challenging the eligibility of the LP candidate to contest the election held on March 18, this year.
Ozioko alleged that Ogara did not properly resign from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as at the time of the election.
Apart from resigning, the petitioner claimed forgery as well as election malpractices against Ogara.
While delivering judgement on the matters, Justice A M Abubakar dismissed the petitions, saying that it was the responsibility of LP to chose its candidate and described the matter as a pre-election matter. He also said that, the petitioners have not proved to case of forgery and irregularites beyond reasonable doubt, and therefore struck out the case.
He commended Journalists in Enugu State on their objective reportage of the tribunal since its sitting.
Speaking with reporters after the judgement, Counsel to Hon. Ogara, Boniface Ugwu, Esq, said they did not expect anything less.“The Judgements were clear and unambiguous, as the judge relied on Judgements of the Supreme Court which cannot be objected to, ” he said.
In his reaction, Hon. Ogara, said the victory was for the people of the Constituency.“It is no Victor; no vanquished. This victory is for all of us. It is time for us to move forward, ” he said.Ogara, a Journalist and publisher of Starlite Newspaper, called on the petitioners to sheathe their sword and join him to bring the much needed development to the area.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
