The Enugu Court of Appeal on Friday upheld the election of the honourable member representing Anambra Central senatorial zone, Senator Uche Ekwunife citing lack of merit on the side of the petitioner, Senator Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Umeh had approached the Court of Appeal to nullify the election that declared Ekwunife winner on grounds of an alleged faulty nomination process by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after failing at the elections tribunal in Awka.

Reading the judgement signed by two other justices, Justice Ignatius Agube dismissed the Appeal filed by Chief Victor Umeh and his party, APGA for lack of merit.

While agreeing with the judgment of the Tribunal delivered on the 9th of September, 2019, Justice Agube stated that the Appellant while changing the nomination of Senator Uche Ekwunife as the Candidate of PDP wrongly relied on Section 285 (13) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Justice Agube also stated that the nomination of candidates is a pre-election matter which is outside the mandate of the Election Petition Tribunal, hence the appellant has no business bringing the matter to the Tribunal in the first place.

While dismissing a 15-ground appeal, Justice Agube said: “Substitution is nomination, therefore the Senator Uche Ekwunife was duly nominated as provided by the electoral act.

“The Appellant being a member of another political party had no business challenging the nomination of Senator Uche Ekwunife as PDP Candidate. The Appellant failed to prove their allegations of non-compliance.”

The judgement which lasted for about forty minutes brings to an end the battle for the Senate seat of Anambra Central.

News Express reports that Ekwunife defeated Umeh in the National Assembly election of 2013 but it was subsequently nullified by the Appeal Court which called for another to be held but Ekwunife declined participation and Umeh emerged victorious and completed a four-year tenure.

Reacting to the judgment, Senator Victor Umeh said that he accepts the judgment as there can be no further appeal allowed by law on the matter.

Baring his mind in a statement, the former National chairman of APGA said: “The Court Of Appeal, Enugu Division delivered Judgment in my Appeal filed in respect of the Anambra Central Senatorial District Election conducted on 23rd day of February, 2019.

“The Justices of the Court in a unanimous Judgment dismissed my Appeal. Being the Final Court vested with Authority by our Constitution over National Assembly Election Matters, I hereby accept the Judgment as there can be no further Appeal allowed by Law on the Matter! This therefore brings to a close all the issues and controversies surrounding the said Election.

“I am deeply satisfied that for the 17 months that I represented my Senatorial District in the National Assembly, I was able to accomplish a lot for them in all areas.

“I was able to demonstrate what a honest representation can do for the people. I attracted and ensured that 40 Constituency Projects were executed in the District for the year 2018. I also attracted 28 Projects for the year 2019. I wished that I have more time to do much more!

“I wish to first of all, most gratefully thank the Almighty God for his grace upon me and my family and for keeping us safe all through this period.

I want to, on behalf of myself and my wife, deeply appreciate and thank the Voters in Anambra Central Senatorial District who cast their votes for me on the day of the election.

Despite the enormous odds on our way, 81,429 Votes were recorded for me!

This is a very huge Number that cannot be wished away by anybody!

“To the members of my Campaign Organization and my indefatigable Media Team, I cannot find the suitable words to express my gratitude and that of my wife. You are simply the best gifts God can bless anybody with in a Struggle like this. You were tenacious, resilient and indomitable! May the Almighty God bless you all for us.”

Umeh further expressed gratitude to his Legal Team led by Chief Patrick Ikwueto, SAN and supported by Emeka Anaenugwu, SAN for their industry and gallant Fight throughout the Proceedings from the Tribunal to the Appellate Court.

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