The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Anambra has postponed judgment in the petition challenging the election of Mr. Peter Madubueze (APGA-Anambra East and West) indefinitely.

This followed the final adoption of addresses by parties in the matter before the tribunal headed by Justice Nayai Aganaba in Awka on Tuesday.

Mr. Tony Nwoye, the candidate of the PDP in the March 28 House of Representatives polls had challenged Madubueze’s victory at the tribunal.

Nwoye wanted the poll cancelled because it was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

Counsel to Nwoye, Mr. Olusola Oke, argued that the petitioners gave evidence to prove that votes which accrued to the petitioner were not accounted for in the declared result.

He alleged that elections held in seven out of eight polling units of Nsugbe Ward 002 were not accounted for.

“If the votes are included, the petitioner scored the highest number of votes cast in the election.”

Oke argued that the respondents did not raise the issue of cancellation of election in the disputed polling units in Nsugbe wards 001 and 002.

He said that the tribunal had the power to order that the excluded votes be included to determine the true winner of the poll.

However, counsel to Madubueze, Mr. Peter Afuba, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

Afuba noted that if the petitioner failed to prove his case, there should be no basis to upturn the election of Madubueze.

Similarly, counsel to APGA, Mr Ikenna Amaechi, argued that the exhibits tendered by the petitioners were inadmissible, adding that the entire petition was irregular and should be dismissed.

On his part, counsel to INEC, Mr. Moses Ani, urged the tribunal to make its findings and orders in the delivery of justice in the petition. (NAN)

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