Mao Ohuabunwa: two-cornered fight for seat

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia on Tuesday reserved Oct. 12 for judgment on the consolidated petition against the declaration of Chief Mao Ohuabunwa as the elected senator for Abia North Senatorial District.

Former Gov. Orji Kalu, the candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) and Chief David Bourdex, the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) filed petitions at the tribunal challenging Ohuabunwa’s election.

The two petitions were consolidated by the tribunal.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, announced the date for the judgment after the final written addresses by the parties were adopted.

Mr Kelvin Nwufo (SAN) Kalu’s counsel, while adopting his address, urged the tribunal to declare his client winner of the election based on the results from Bende and Isuikwuator Local Government Areas of the state.

He said that in the alternative, the tribunal should nullify the election and order fresh exercise in the district, made up of five local governments.

He cited relevant sections of the law to support his prayer.

Mr Mike Onyeka, counsel for Ohuabungwa, who also adopted his final written address, urged the tribunal to dismiss Kalu’s petition for lack of merit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Appeal Court in Owerri last week Friday granted Kalu’s appeal against the refusal of the tribunal for him to tender the Certified True Copy of the register of voters in the area.