The controversy surrounding who is the lawful representative of the people of Anambra North senatorial district in the senate has become more interesting with different interest groups laying divergent claims to the post on Tuesday.

As was anticipated, Alphonsus Ubanese Igbeke, who currently holds the Certificate of Return from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the validly elected senator to represent the zone, was in the senate chamber but he was, for the third time, denied admittance.

On his second attempt last Thursday, he was denied admittance on the basis of the two excuses that he was late to the plenary, and that there was a notice of a court process challenging the Enugu appeal court ruling, which validated Mr. Igbeke’s election into the senate.

According to a report forwarded to the National Executive Council of All Nigeria People’s Party last weekend, the senate president, David Mark, claimed Mr. Igbeke did not present himself at the chambers early enough. But on that same day, the senate spokesman told reporters the senate was not yielding to the order of the appeal court because there was a Supreme Court notice on same case served on the senate.

Contradictory claims

On Mr. Igbeke’s third attempt yesterday, the senate plenary was held back for two hours as opposition lobby groups were seen lobbying the senate president before the commencement of plenary; perhaps, to admit Mr. Igbeke.

On the other hand, fans of Joy Emordi, the deposed senator, led by John Obiora, were also seen lobbying against Mr. Igbeke’s admittance.

Senators from minority parties also shunned the chambers at the beginning of Tuesday’s plenary, as they were huddled in a meeting with Mr. Igbeke. Later, the senate went into a closed door session.

Sources close to the senate leadership said Mr. Mark claimed he needed more time for consultations before admitting Mr. Igbeke into the senate. Also, the senior special assistant to the senate president on media, Kola Ologbodiyan, claimed Mr. Igbeke did not present himself before the senate president or any of the principal officers as part of the ritual of swearing in.

However in deviation from the senate president’s position, Ayogu Eze, the senate spokesman, held onto his line of argument that the senate will not swear in Mr. Igbeke because there is a Supreme Court notice of court process, contesting the appeal court’s ruling that ordered them to admit Mr. Igbeke, which has been served on the senate.

“To the best of my knowledge, the senate has not disobeyed any court order, based on our standing order 53 sub section 5,” Mr. Eze told reporters, reiterating his earlier position on the issue.

“There is a notice filed on us that the appeal filed in Enugu has been taken to the Supreme Court and that additionally, the appellant has applied for a stay of execution to the highest court in the land.”

Mr. Igbeke has remained silent over the controversy, which might not be unconnected to allegations that he has bought the media to promote his cause.

I think Devil Mark is having an affair with this bitch thats why he does not want to lose her

Emodi is 1000 miles better than illiterate ubanese.

Sorry i did not quite get that last comment!

evil666:

I think Devil Mark is having an affair with this naughty woman thats why he does not want to lose her

Word! she was at DM's daughter's wedding some weeks back, that's were DM gave her his word that Ubanese will not be sworn in. it's obvious that the politics has gone to bedroom chamber.

9ijaprince:

Emodi is 1000 miles better than illiterate ubanese.

That's your opinion. Literacy does not translate to good representation.Illiterate Ubanese worn the election while Prof: Joy lost. Beside, what has Joy contributed to the people of Anambra north as a senator all these while?

9ijaprince:

Emodi is 1000 miles better than illiterate ubanese.

your view of who is better and who is literate is absolutely irrelevant.
That question was put before the people of their senatorial district and they chose Igbeke over Joy.
If intelligence was the deciding factor, the likes of Yerima and even David Mark will have no business in that chamber.
This Joy Emordi woman is a shameless woman and if she was my mother, i will call her to order in the confines of our house.
Nigerian women are as bad as the men when it comes to greed and corruption.

I am speaking as an Anambrarian, there is no difference between Igbeke and Madam Emordi, but the court verdict should over rule.

9ijaprince:

Emodi is 1000 miles better than illiterate ubanese.

how many of those so called sitting senators have genuine certificates? what makes igbeke an illetrate. i thought the appeal court judgement was final in any election dispute. why is the senate making a mockery of our judicial system.

What do you expect from the same Senate that empowered allowed Yar'Adua to rule from the Dead?