By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal (NAEPT) sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has dismissed the petition of Senator Stella Oduah and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the victory of Dr Tony Nwoye of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25, 2023 election for lack of merit.

Senator Oduah and her party, PDP, in a consolidated petition: EPT/AN/SEN/1/2023 & EPT/AN/SEN/2/2023 had approached the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the declaration of Nwoye as a validly elected Senator for Anambra North Senatorial district by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But the NAEPT in its ruling on the matter on Wednesday dismissed the case, saying it lacked merit.

The tribunal dismissed all grounds of the petition for lack of merit.

The ruling has triggered celebrations among supporters of Nwoye.

Responding to the judgment, some of his supporters said it has reaffirmed their commitment in voting Nwoye in the February election as he was truly declared by INEC. “This is victory for the good people of Anambra North Senatorial district, victory for Labour Party and Anambra people in general and victory for the election processes,” one of them said.

Nwoye was declared the winner of Senatorial district after scored 94,779 votes to defeat Oduah, her closest rival, who polled a total of 50,146 votes.