Enugu: Peter Mbah Floors Edogha As Tribunal Upholds His Victory

In Enugu, the Governorship Election Tribunal has declared Governor Peter Mbah the winner of the March 18 Governorship election in the state.

ENigeria Newspaper reports that the Tribunal upheld the victory of Governor Peter Mbah after it dismissed the petition of his opponent in the Labour Party, Chijioke Edoga.

Delivering the judgment on Thursday, the Chairman of the panel of the Tribunal, Justice Kudirat Akano dismissed the allegation of Hon. Chijioke Edeoga/LP, which states that Governor Peter Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate was forged.

ENigeria Newspaper reports that the Tribunal held that Mbah did not submit his NYSC certificate to INEC in aid of his qualification to contest for the office of governor since he was already qualified without an NYSC certificate.

The tribunal rejected Edeoga’s witnesses, ruling that the LP governorship candidate did not present any admissible evidence to prove that the governor’s certificate was forged.

Mbah vs Edeoga: Tension In Enugu As Tribunal Delivers Judgement On Enugu Governorship Election

There is palpable tension in Enugu State as the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu would deliver its judgment on the petitions challenging the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Peter Mbah, as the winner of the 2023 governorship election.

The Justice Kudirat Morayo Akano-led three-member tribunal had on Tuesday announced today’s judgment date to kick off by 9 a.m.
Edeoga and LP had gone to the tribunal contesting, among other things, the authenticity of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate presented by Mbah, whom the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the election winner.

They also alleged that Mbah failed to fulfill his mandatory youth service obligations before assuming a political post in 2003, just as they contested the validity of the votes accrued during the electoral process.

The petitioners raised allegations of comprehensive electoral malpractice and rigging, particularly in Owo and Ugbawka wards in Nkanu East, Enugu East, and Udenu local governments, where they alleged that computation errors reduced their votes.
However, there were robust legal arguments and citations during the hearing, with both parties presenting the tribunal with witnesses and evidence that were accepted as exhibits.

Security sources told Daily Sun that adequate security arrangements have been made by the various security agencies spearheaded by the Police to ensure no breakdown of law and order.

Source: ENigeria Newspaper