Tribunal sacks three LP House of Reps members in Abia

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia has dismissed three members of the House of Representatives: Ibe Okwara Osonwa, Emeka Nnamani, and Munachim Alozie, all of the Labour Party (LP).

The panel agreed with the petitioners’ claims, and they were dismissed on Monday.

The tribunal, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Adegberegbe, ruled that All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Daniel Chimezie Okeke had proven his petition that the election of Ibe Okwara Osonwa did not comply with the rule of law, and thus ordered Osonwa’s removal from the House.

Therefore, the tribunal pronounced Daniel Chimezie Okeke of the APC to be the victor and directed INEC to revoke the certificate of return previously issued to Ibe Okwara Osonwa and issue a new one to Okeke of the APC.

Also, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate Alex Mascot was just sworn in as the new representative for the Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, replacing the disgraced Emeka Nnamani.

In its verdict, the tribunal sided with APGA’s Alex Mascot’s appeal, in which Mascot questioned Emeka Nnamani’s academic credentials.

The win of Labour Party (LP) candidate Munachim Alozie in the Osisioma/Obingwa/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency was overturned by the election tribunal, which also mandated that a new election be held by INEC within 90 days.

The tribunal decided that Munachim Alozie’s lead wasn’t large enough in light of the number of people who didn’t get to vote on February 25.

Jubilation erupted in Daniel Chimezie Okeke’s hometown of Ututu, Arochukwu LGA, as a result of the tribunal’s rulings.

Emeka Nnamani and Ibe Okwara Osonwa, however, have reassured their constituents that they will take measures to protect their seats if they are defeated.