The Ebonyi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has upheld the election of Governor Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The tribunal dismissed the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, as well as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governorship candidate, Bernard Odoh.
The PDP and Ifeanyi Odii argued that Governor Nwifuru was not qualified to contest on the APC’s platform because he was still a member of the PDP at the time of the election. In contrast, the APC claimed that Governor Nwifuru had resigned from the PDP while serving as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly and had defected to the APC before its primary election.
The tribunal, led by Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, ruled that the petitioners failed to prove non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the election. Furthermore, the tribunal held that the petitioners did not establish that Governor Nwifuru did not receive the majority of lawful votes in the election.
Regarding the APGA petition, the tribunal noted that the petitioners failed to bring their case before the appropriate court to address the issue of party membership.
In response to the tribunal’s decision, the PDP expressed its intention to appeal the judgment. The party urged its supporters in the state to remain calm and peaceful, assuring them that the party would pursue its case at the appellate court in hopes of reclaiming what it believes to be its mandate.