Anambra guber: Tribunal yet to receive petitions 6 days to deadline, apprehension over sitting in Abuja

By RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka

Six days to the expiration of the 21 days for the filing of petitions challenging the outcome of the November 6th gubernatorial election in Anambra state the Elections Petitions Tribunal is yet to receive any petition from the 17 political parties and their gubernatorial candidates.

According to the law, aggrieved candidates or their political parties have 21 days from the date of the declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to file petitions.

Recall that the Returning Officer for the Anambra governorship election Prof Florence Obi at about 12.30 am on the 10th of November declared Prof Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the winner of the election.

Three days after that declaration candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Sen Andy Uba and the candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) Mr Afam Umezeoke have indicated that they would challenge the declaration at the tribunal.

According to the Counsel to Umezeoke and National Vice Chairman South East of the party Bar Emeka Agbapuonwu. who spoke with reporters yesterday, there is still time adding that he and his candidate have concluded all arrangements to file their petition.

Also, a stalwart of the APC and member Andy Uba Campaign Organization Prince Bounty Onuigbo contended that there is nothing to fear about as his candidate would surely beat the deadline.

But there are also fears that the Election Petitions Tribunal Panel may sit at Abuja instead of Awka following fears of insecurity as alleged.

But the secretary of the Tribunal Bar Surjo Gusau dismissed this report saying that once a petition or even a motion is filed in respect of the election the panel would certainly come to Awka.

Gusau, however, said that the venue of the panel can only be affected if there is an official letter to the President of the Appeal Court Hon Justice Dongban Mensam.

He also dismissed claims that the tribunal panel has not been set up noting that he as the secretary reported a day after the declaration of the results indicating that the panel has been set up.

Special Adviser to Give Wille Obiano on Political Matters Bar Ifeatu Obiokoye said that his party is ready to take on any petitioner headlong adding that Prof Charles Soludo is not losing sleep over it.

He further noted that while awaiting the petition of Senator Andy Uba of the APC, people should not lose sight of a pending suit that is set for judgement challenging the candidacy of APC which was filed by one of the aspirants Chief George Muoghalu.

APC and Andy Uba should be more concerned about that pending suit at the Federal High Court which the judgement would be delivered on or before December 20th and should the court grants the prayers of Georgia Muoghalu that Sen Uba is not the candidate of the party and that no primary election was conducted in the party, he has no business being at the Election Petitions Tribunal. (Daily Independent)