Tribunal Sacks Imo PDP Lawmaker, Orders Fresh Election

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The National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Owerri on Wednesday annulled Obinna Onwubuariri of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) election into House of Representatives,

Onwubuariri represented Isiala Mbano /Onuimo /Okigwe federal constituency of Imo State.

He was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2015 .

In her judgment which lasted for about two hours , chairman of the Panel , R. Harriman , ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh poll in the federal constituency within 90 days from the date of the judgment.

According to the Jurist , the petitioner , Princess Miriam Onuoha , of the All Progressives Congress , was able prove her petition beyond reasonable doubt.

The jurist said that INEC and the first respondent were unable to defend the allegations of over -voting , mutilation of figures , and the reduction of the petitioner ’ s votes preferred against them by the petitioner .

The panel , which ordered a fresh poll in the federal constituency , instructed that the first respondent’ s certificate of return should be withdrawn immediately .

Harriman said the declaration of the lawmaker who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party , was done in utter disregard of the Electoral Act , as amended .

The petitioner ’ s aide , Israel Onyema , told newsmen after the judgment that his principal would have been happier if the tribunal had declared the APC candidate the winner of the February 21 poll .

Onyema contended that his principal won the election in the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency .

An aide to the sacked lawmaker said his principal would appeal the judgment.