*Hears appeals by Ogboru, Ararrume, Nwosu, Uzodinma

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgments in four appeals filed in respect of the last governorship elections held in Delta and Imo states.

The court announced, after taking arguments from lawyers to the parties, that the date(s) for judgments will be communicated to them.

The first to be heard on Monday afternoon was the one by candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State, Great Ogboru, in which he challenged the decision of the election tribunal, which upheld the victory of Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor of the state.

In the 37-ground appeal, Okowa, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondent, the appellants (Ogboru and APC) want the cort to set aside the entire judgment of the tribunal on the grounds that it (the tribunal) erred in law when it dismissed their petition and held that it lacked merit.

Nicholson Ichekor,who filed the appeal for Ogboru and APC argued that the lower court erred in law when it relied on the issue of over voting instead of allocation of votes as canvassed in their petition to dismiss their petition.

The appellants in urging the court to nullify okowa’s election claimed that in some polling units, the total number of votes cast at the election exceeded the total number of voters who were accredited to vote, adding that there was non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act in relation to accreditation of voters.

Represented by Damien Dodo (SAN) and Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), Okowa and PDP want the court to dismiss the appeal on the grounds that the appellants failed to prove their allegations of over voting and non compliance with the Electoral Act.

Okowa and the PDP claimed that they led cogent and reliable evidence, before the tribunal, to prove their victory in the election.

They argued that the appellants, on their part, failed to prove how their claims of over-voting and that the results of the election was substantially affected by the alleged non compliance.

The five-man panel that heard the Delta State appeal was led by by Justice Uzo Ndukwe-Anyanwu.

The other set of appeals heard by the court were those filed by Ararume, Nwosu and Hope Uzodinma, against the decision of the tribunal, which upheld the victory of PDP’s Emeka Ihedioha in Imo State.

The five-man panel that heard the appeals was led by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye.

The appeals were filed by All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and its candidate, Ifeanyi Ararume; Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Uche Nwosu, and that of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its candidate, Hope Uzodinma.

It is the appellants main contention is that Ihedioha did not obtain the constitutionally required one quarter of the votes cast in at least, two-thirds of the 27 local government areas of the state, as provided under Section 179 of the Constitution.

The appellants prayed the court yesterday, to set aside the decision of the tribunal and declare them winner of the election or in the alternative order a rerun election.

In his appeal, Ararume urged the appellate court to upturn the decision of the tribunal on the grounds that the lower court erred in law when it arrived at the decision that his case and that of his party lacked merit and accordingly dismissed it.

The 22-ground appeal was argued yesterday by his lawyer, Awa Kalu (SAN) while that of Nwosu and AA, was argued by Niyi Akintola (SAN). Damian Dodo (SAN) represented Uzodinma and the APC.

The appellants urged the panel to allow the appeals and grant all their reliefs.

Lawyers to Ihedioha and the PDP, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Ken Njemanze (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the appeals for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

The respondents attacked the appeal by Nwosu and his party and argued that it was a waste of the court’s time, since the Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered on October 22, 2019 struck out Nwosu’s name as the candidate of the AA in the election.

The respondents argued that Nwosu’s appeal lacked merit going by a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the candidacy of Nwosu in the election.

The court sat up to around a little to 8pm.

https://thenationonlineng.net/appeal-court-reserves-judgments-in-appeals-over-delta-imo-governorship-disputes/

Ogboru should go and retire, even if the election is held 100 times, he will lose 100 times. Strong Forces( Omo-agege and co) In Urhobo land will work against him cos they stand a better chance in 2023 when the gentleman zoning arrangement goes back to them

In Imo state, I wonder how all of them are praying to be declared winners and not even for a rerun election, knowing that if the court is to jettison the 2/3 rule, they didn't have the highest votes.

Then we have one lawyer (Damian Dodo) representing Okowa and Uzodimma in the two cases.

To add to this:
The Federal Court of Appeal and later the Supreme Court on the 22nd of October 2019 invalidated the nomination of Uche Nwosu Ugwumba as flagbearer of the Action Alliance.

The APP had petitioned that Uche Nwosu Ugwumba was a card-carrying member of the APC as at when he got the nomination of the AA-ticket.

The Federal High Court in Abuja under Justice Inyang Ekwo had in August 2019 called it ludicrous and "immoral", thereby affirming that Uche Nwosu remains disqualified from that elections and his nomination null and void.

The said AA and Uche Nwosu had approached the Appeal Court which also supported the ruling of the lower court and even apportioned damages of N100,000 to the AA and Uche Nwosu.

Ihedioha's appeal ( on the same matter) at the Supreme Court was also upheld, meaning AA had no valid candidate in the last gubernatorial elections in Imo state.

Hence, like Zamfara, Uche Nwosu's votes are voided...there begins the march for 2/3 majority as argued by Ararume and Uzodinma.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sunnewsonline.com/appeal-court-voids-nwosus-candidature-over-double-nomination/amp/

Okowa will win.

kingkakaone:
Okowa will win.

Yes while ihedioha will lose

garfield1:

Yes while ihedioha will lose

honorable Emeka iheodioha will win too.

Johnnyessence:
honorable Emeka iheodioha will win too.

Did he get 25% in two third of imo which is 18 lgas

garfield1:
Did he get 25% in two third of imo which is 18 lgas

Imo state will never return to locust days...God forbid.
Rochas and Uche problems started when he fought against the church.
You don't try such nonsense here and get away with it.

garfield1:

Did he get 25% in two third of imo which is 18 lgas

The LGs AA won that he took the 2nd position, the AA votes are voided so he will now win the LGAs, so yes he will now get the required 25%

JubrinElSudan:
The LGs AA won that he took the 2nd position, the AA votes are voided so he will now win the LGAs, so yes he will now get the required 25%

They don't know what's going on...
He won 11 LGAs
(Owerri-Municipal, Owerri-West, Obowo, Oguta, Ikeduru, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Aboh-Mbaise, Ezinihitte-Mbaise, Mbaitoli, Ngor-Okpuala and Owerri North LGAs)

He came 2nd in 5 LGAs
(Isu, Orlu, Nwangele, Njaba and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs).
By virtue of that SC judgement....he won these LGAs...

He achieved 25% votes in 8 other LGAs
(Onuimo, Nkwerre, Ideato-North, Ideato-South, Orsu, Okigwe,Ihitte-Uboma and Oru-West LGAs)

He only failed to achieve 25% in 3 other LGAs
Oru East (the LGA of Hope Uzodinma, APC)
Ehime-Mbaino
Isiala-Mbaino (LGA of Ifeanyi Ararume, APGA)

Imo has 27 LGAs...so Emeka has satisfied all conditions.

Let us not forget, that the appellants didn't talk about violence or over-voting but premised on 2/3-majority....
(The court is no Father-Christmas, that will give you what you don't seek).

Some people don't want to face reality on this case....just copy them.....

Thanks Sir.

garfield1:
Yes while ihedioha will lose

I don't think so.

So Uche Nwosu never contested? Audio candidate!

fergie001:
To add to this:
The Federal Court of Appeal and later the Supreme Court on the 22nd of October 2019 invalidated the nomination of Uche Nwosu Ugwumba as flagbearer of the Action Alliance.

The APP had petitioned that Uche Nwosu Ugwumba was a card-carrying member of the APC as at when he got the nomination of the AA-ticket.

The Federal High Court in Abuja under Justice Inyang Ekwo had in August 2019 called it ludicrous and "immoral", thereby affirming that Uche Nwosu remains disqualified from that elections and his nomination null and void.

The said AA and Uche Nwosu had approached the Appeal Court which also supported the ruling of the lower court and even apportioned damages of N100,000 to the AA and Uche Nwosu.

Ihedioha's appeal ( on the same matter) at the Supreme Court was also upheld, meaning AA had no valid candidate in the last gubernatorial elections in Imo state.

Hence, like Zamfara, Uche Nwosu's votes are voided...there begins the march for 2/3 majority as argued by Ararume and Uzodinma.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sunnewsonline.com/appeal-court-voids-nwosus-candidature-over-double-nomination/amp/

wait does this mean uche nwosu is now seen as not to have contested the election?hence his votes voided?

kingkakaone:

I don't think so.

Why sir

asha80:
wait does this mean uche nwosu is now seen as not to have contested the election?hence his votes voided?

100%.......

JubrinElSudan:
The LGs AA won that he took the 2nd position, the AA votes are voided so he will now win the LGAs, so yes he will now get the required 25%

Ihedioha is good

fergie001:

100%.......

Not yet until supreme court rules and it will do so before the appeal rules

fergie001:

They don't know what's going on...
He won 11 LGAs
(Owerri-Municipal, Owerri-West, Obowo, Oguta, Ikeduru, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Aboh-Mbaise, Ezinihitte-Mbaise, Mbaitoli, Ngor-Okpuala and Owerri North LGAs)

He came 2nd in 5 LGAs
(Isu, Orlu, Nwangele, Njaba and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs).
By virtue of that SC judgement....he won these LGAs...

He achieved 25% votes in 8 other LGAs
(Onuimo, Nkwerre, Ideato-North, Ideato-South, Orsu, Okigwe,Ihitte-Uboma and Oru-West LGAs)

He only failed to achieve 25% in 3 other LGAs
Oru East (the LGA of Hope Uzodinma, APC)
Ehime-Mbaino
Isiala-Mbaino (LGA of Ifeanyi Ararume, APGA)

Imo has 27 LGAs...so Emeka has satisfied all conditions.

Let us not forget, that the appellants didn't talk about violence or over-voting but premised on 2/3-majority....
(The court is no Father-Christmas, that will give you what you don't seek).

Some people don't want to face reality on this case....just copy them.....

Thanks Sir.

Why are you misinforming people? The supreme court has not ruled on nwosu's nomination,what they ruled on was the application of aa to withdraw from the petition.even the lawyers of ihedioha are referring to the judgment of the appeal court not supreme.you cant be following news reports totally,you made that mistake yesterday.listen to the lawyers involved.


Secondly,all the three major appellants didn't not base their case on the two third issue.they also cited widespread irregularities
I wonder where you copy your news ftom
Infact,uzodinma case is mainly about wrong collation which has a chance of sucfeeding more than the normal widespread non compliance.read the electoral act

I need to cool my brain in Yenagoa now......

fergie001:
I need to cool my brain in Yenagoa now......

It is too hot for pdp apologists,try cross river