Chairman of the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Hon. Justice James Abundaga, has warned politicians against any attempt to influence the course of justice.

The tribunal was inaugurated to handle petitions arising from the Senatorial and House of Assembly re-run elections held in Abia North Senatorial District and Aba North State Constituency.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Abundaga said any attempt by anybody to influence the tribunal would not only be exposed publicly, but also handled decisively.

“People or persons who are in the habit of trying to influence the tribunal or claim to have such influence and deceive innocent people for monetary gains, are advised to have a rethink.

“We in the tribunal will not hesitate to bring any such persons to justice. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

He said that there was no electoral process worldwide that is completely devoid of certain degree of imperfection.

The chairman also threatened to sanction any journalist whose report did not reflect what transpired in the tribunal.

“We have not come here to upturn the electoral victory of the respondent nor endorse it,” he assured, adding that the tribunal would meticulously consider all the grievances, complaints and responses to the grievances.

According to him, the tribunal will correct such grievances “where they are found to be justified” or “where such grievances are found to be frivolous, say so.”

He said that the tribunal received three petitions; one from the re-run election in Abia North Senatorial District and two from Aba North State Constituency.

NAN reports that Chief Orji Kalu, of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) is challenging the declaration of Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, (PDP) as the winner of the re-run in Abia north.

The victory of Dr. Blessing Nwagba in Aba North State Constituency is also being challenged by Ogbudinka Nkemka (PPA) and Kennedy Anunobi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Meanwhile, the tribunal has struck out Ohuabunwa's motion in which he claimed that he was not duly served the petition by Kalu.

The tribunal also granted Kalu's application seeking to inspect the materials used during the re-run. (NAN)

Update news