The Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2023 Enugu State election, Barr Chijioke Edeoga, has rejected the judgement of the election petition tribunal, which upheld the victory of Governor Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The election petition tribunal had on Thursday dismissed Edeoga’s petition and declared that Governor Mbah was validly elected.
Edeoga had challenged the outcome of the election, alleging that there were irregularities and over-voting in some local government areas. He also alleged that Governor Mbah presented a forged NYSC certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the tribunal held that Edeoga failed to prove his allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
In a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Edeoga/Nwokeabia Campaign Organisation, Engr George Ugwu, Edeoga said he would challenge the tribunal’s verdict at the Court of Appeal.
The statement reads in part: “We wish to convey the acknowledgment by the Labour Party and its candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, of the judgement as delivered at the tribunal, and to state our preparedness to challenge the outcome of this judgement at the Court of Appeal and to all extents as permitted by law.
“To this end, we urge our supporters across the State and in other parts of the country to remain calm, law-abiding, and to go about their businesses without fear or hindrance.
“We retain a firm belief in justice, and will go the full extent legally possible in ensuring that the hopes of Enugu people who turned out in their numbers to vote for Labour Party candidates on March 18, 2023 are realised.”
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