By CHARLES IWUOHA

As Nigerians await the verdicts of the various election petitions tribunals across the federation, hundreds of Enugu residents on Saturday took to the streets of the metropolis calling on the judges handling all election cases in the state to do what is right and dispense justice without fear or favour.

The One-Million-Man-March, with its motto ‘Tribunal justices must do what is right’, is ongoing across major streets in the metropolis.

According to the organizers of the march, “The march is holding across the nation in solidarity and support for the judiciary; for them to uphold justice in Nigeria at the ongoing election petition tribunals.”

Recall that the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) had ordered the removal of “#All Eyes on the Judiciary” advertisement billboards across Nigeria with immediate effect.

ARCON Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, in a statement said that all the materials being exposed be brought down immediately and the violators sanctioned.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Enugu Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal is expected to deliver its judgment on or before October 6, 2023 (maximum).

As it does so, Enugu electorate are bearing witnesses to the type of legal issues that can occur when elections are not properly managed.

The three-man panel headed by Honourable Justice Akano had on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 reserved judgment in the petition brought before it by the Labour Party (LP) and its governorship candidate in Enugu state, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga against Mr. Peter Mba, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC had declared Mr. Mba of the PDP winner of the March 18 governorship election after scoring 160,895 votes to defeat his closest rival, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga of LP who polled a total of 157,552 votes.

Upset by the outcome, LP and its gubernatorial candidate are challenging Mbah’s victory at the Tribunal.

The petitioners argued that Mr. Mbah was at the time of the election not constitutionally qualified to contest having presented a forged certificate of national service (NYSC) to INEC, over voting, substantial non-compliance with the electoral act, computational errors, among other issues.

According to the 2022 Electoral Act, Election Petitions Tribunal has 180 days to determine petitions before her which means that the court is expected to round off all her activities on or before October 6, 2023 (maximum).

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