PDP fumes as tribunal affirms Ebonyi gov’s election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed anger and disappointment over the decision of the Ebonyi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to affirm the election of Governor David Umahi.
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The tribunal, in a unanimous judgment on Thursday, dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, challenging the outcome of the March 9, 2023 election.
The tribunal held that Umahi was validly elected and that the PDP failed to prove its allegations of electoral fraud.
But the PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the tribunal’s judgment as a “travesty of justice” and a “mockery of democracy”.
The party said the tribunal had ignored the overwhelming evidence of electoral fraud presented by its lawyers.
The PDP also accused the tribunal of being biased in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Umahi.
The party said it would appeal the judgment to the Court of Appeal.
Reactions
The decision of the tribunal has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians. Some have hailed the judgment as a victory for democracy, while others have condemned it as a miscarriage of justice.
Human rights activist, Femi Falana, said the tribunal’s judgment was “a sad day for democracy in Nigeria”.
Falana said the tribunal had failed to uphold the fundamental rights of the PDP and its candidate.
But a lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, said the tribunal’s judgment was “sound in law and in fact”.
Ozekhome said the PDP had failed to prove its allegations of electoral fraud.
The decision of the tribunal is likely to have a significant impact on the 2023 general election.
If the Supreme Court upholds the tribunal’s judgment, it will mean that Governor Umahi will be re-elected for a second term.
But if the Supreme Court overturns the tribunal’s judgment, it will mean that the PDP will have another chance to win the governorship election in Ebonyi State.
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