Imo PDP rejects nullification of Ugochinyere, Okeke’s elections by tribunal

Representatives for the federal districts of Ideato North/South and Okigwe South in the House of Representatives, Barr. Ikenga Ugochinyere and Hon. Jonas Okeke, had their elections voided by the Imo State National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, but the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has rejected the decision.

The opposition party claimed a landslide victory for the two representatives in the National Assembly elections on February 25, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the party’s Acting State Publicity Secretary, Mazi Emenike Nmeregini.

The PDP has said the decisions are a defeat and promised to appeal the rulings.

A statement from the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party read, “It is with deep reservations and reprehension that the lmo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Mararaba, Nasarawa state, nullified the elections of Rt Hon. Barr. Ikenga lmo Ugochinyere lkeagwuonu (representing Ideato North and South) and Rt Hon. Jonas Okeke (Okigwe South) respectively. The Tribunal’s decision in these cases is deeply disappointing and reprehensible.

The two progressive legislators easily gained seats in the House of Representatives in the state’s general election for the National Assembly on February 25, 2023.

“As a responsible and responsive political party, the ruling of the Tribunal, reeks of tremendous surprise, given the preponderance of compelling evidence in facts and numbers, submitted before it to justify outcomes of the elections. Voters in the affected districts are likely to be dissatisfied with the Supreme Court’s final rulings.

“It is unfortunate that the Honourable Tribunal, without benefit of hindsight, based its decisions on pre-election issues that had already been dismissed by courts of competent jurisdiction.

The fact that this is being brought up by someone who is not a member of the PDP shows a complete disrespect for the fact that this is an issue just for PDP members. For all practical purposes, the verdicts appear to be wrapped in transparent mystery.

The Peoples Democratic Party in lmo state rejects in their entirety what they call “a laughable exercise of crudeness” and a “setback” to the nation’s judicial system. This party will unwaveringly oppose the Tribunal’s position until it overturns the judgement that will haunt our judicial system for years to come.

We hold the judiciary in the highest regard and are confident in its ability to restore public faith in the nation’s symbol of justice.

A statement from the party reads, “While expecting the Appeal court to do the needful in no distance time, our party calls on our aggrieved teeming members and electorate in ldeato North/South and Okigwe South Federal Constituencies to keep their calm as we expect that justice will take its normal course in the respective cases very soon.”