Tribunal Upholds Ekweremadu’s Election

Ike Ekweremadu

ENUGU – The National Assembly/ State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu, on Monday upheld the election of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as senator representing Enugu West. In a unanimous judgment, the tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, challenging Ekweremadu’s election. The three-man tribunal held that the former Deputy Senate President was elected with lawful valid votes cast during the February 23, 2019 elections. Delivering the judgment, the Tribunal Chairman, Justice H.H. Kerang held that there was an incurable deficit in the pleadings of the petitioners. Justice Kerang said the petition deserved nothing other than outright dismissal. “The first respondent was duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast. The petitioners failed to prove non-compliance. “The election and return of the 1st Respondent as the winner of the Enugu West Senatorial election is hereby upheld,” Kerang said. The tribunal awarded cost of N250, 000 each in favour of the three respondents against the petitioner.