By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the petition filed by All Progressives Congress (APC)candidate in the Enugu North and South National Assembly Elections, Hon.Juliet Egbo, against the victory of Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu of the Labour Party (LP).

Delivering the ruling hours ago, the five man Justices unanimously dismissed the petition brought byHon Egbo for lacking in merit.

Egbo was challenging the nomination of Hon. Atu and voters' intimidation during the election.

However, the three man panel at the National Assembly Elections petition tribunal in Enugu had earlier dismissed the petition in July for lack of merit.

Not satisfied with the decision of the tribunal, the APC proceeded to the Court of Appeal, Abuja which later agreed with the decision of the tribunal.

The Court of Appeal added that the appeal was a mere academic exercise and a wasteof judicial time.

The judgment has put an end to the protracted legal battle between the LP and APC candidates in the February 25, 2023 National Assembly Election in Enugu North and South Federal Constituency.

Recall that Hon. Atu was declared winner of the February elections with over 65,000 votes to defeat a three term House of Representatives Member, Hon Ofor Chukwuegbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon Juliet Egbo of APC.

Addressing a gathering of supporters and constituents in Enugu, Atu expressed heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support and trust placed in his leadership by the people of Enugu North and South Federal Constituency.

According to him, the victory in the courtroom mirrors the collective will and the steadfast commitmentto upholding democratic values.

“This judgment has brought to a close the arduous legal contest that has shadowed our shared victory.

“I stand here today, resolute and dedicated to the ideals of my party and the Obidient Movement and the aspirations of myconstituents.

“We pledge to redouble our efforts, working tirelessly to fulfill the promises we made during the campaigns.

“The legal battle, marked by rigorous scrutiny and comprehensive examination of the petition, has ultimately reaffirmed the choice made by the people during the February elections,” he said.

Atu said that the Court of Appeal’s ruling “is a testament to the strength of the democratic institutions in our nation and their commitment to upholding the will of the people”.

He added that he was extending gratitude to God for guiding the journey and ensuring that justice prevailed.

“The victory in the courtroom serves as a resounding affirmation of the people's faith in the democratic process and in their representatives,” he explained.