Abia Tribunal dismisses LP candidate’s petition, upholds Obianyi’s victory

The Election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia Abia State has upheld the victory of Lewis Chinaemerem Obianyi as the member representing Ukwa East State constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly.

The tribunal, in its ruling, dismissed the petition brought before it by the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Ekeke Adiele challenging Obianyi’s election.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Wednesday by Hon. Justice Aderibigbe-led three-man panel, the tribunal held that the petitioner, Ekeke failed to prove that the election was marred with substantial ‘Non Compliance’ with electoral laws.

The tribunal also ruled that the first petitioner, Mr Okeke Adiele was not the person, Mr Adiele Ekeke who contested the election and does not have the locus standi to contest the election results.

The tribunal added that the petitioner failed to establish the burden of proof of ‘Non Compliance’ and therefore, dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.

Reacting to the judgement, the lead counsel to Obianyi, Chidozie Ogunji hailed the tribunal for its decision, saying that justice has prevailed on the matter.

In his own reaction, Obianyi expressed joy that his mandate achieved through the ballot was preserved.

Mr Adiele Ekeke, who was a Commissioner in Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ASOPADEC) had contested previous elections with same name, including the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia State House Assembly primary election in Ukwa-East State constituency, but filed his petition with the name Mr Okeke Adiele.