Tribunals uphold Nkwonta, Onwusibe’s elections in Abia

Chris Nkwonta of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was confirmed as the representative for the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia, Abia State.

The three-person tribunal unanimously ruled against Mr. Nnadozie Okpokiri, the candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, who had petitioned the court to overturn INEC’s proclamation of Nkwonta as the victor of the National Assembly election held on February 25, 2023.

Through his legal representation, Okpokiri had asked the tribunal to overturn Nkwonta’s victory on the grounds that there had been widespread irregularities at the polls.

The tribunal found no basis for the petitioner’s assertions that irregularities occurred in 199 polling units during the election on February 25 in the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal constituency.

Nkwonta’s victory was affirmed, and the lawsuit was thrown out for lack of substance.

Relatedly, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal ruled against Peoples Democratic Party candidate Anthony Agbazuere in his attempt to overturn Labour Party candidate Ginger Onwusibe’s victory in the Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala South Federal Constituency in Abia State.

Chief of Staff for ex-Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Agbazuere had petitioned the tribunal to overturn Onwusibe’s victory in the National Assembly elections held on February 25.

The tribunal, however, denied Agbazuere’s plea and upheld Onwusibe’s election in a judgement issued on Monday.