Ebonyi Election Tribunal Set to Deliver Judgement On Nwifuru’s Victory

The Ebonyi State Election Petitions Tribunal will on Wednesday deliver its judgement on two petitions challenging the victory of Governor David Nwifuru in the March 18 governorship election.

Tribunal Secretary Henry Nwior confirmed the judgement date, saying proceedings will commence by 9am.

The tribunal had in August concluded hearing petitions filed by the PDP and its candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, and the APGA and its candidate, Bernard Odoh.

Both are seeking the nullification of Nwifuru’s election on grounds of certificate forgery and ineligibility to contest the polls under APC.

Odoh contends that Nwifuru was still a PDP member when he contested the election under APC. He also alleges the Governor submitted a fake certificate to INEC.

On its part, the PDP argues Nwifuru did not officially defect from the party before contesting the polls. The party says he remains a PDP member based on a court judgement.

In his defense, Nwifuru presented APC membership documents showing he had resigned from PDP and joined APC prior to contesting the primaries.

INEC had declared Nwifuru winner with 199,131 votes against PDP’s Odii who polled 80,191 votes. He was issued a certificate of return and sworn in on May 29.

The tribunal’s impending judgement follows several postponements amid security concerns that prompted relocation to Abuja from Abakaliki.

The outcome will determine if Nwifuru’s election stands or a fresh poll is ordered within 90 days if petitioners succeed.