JUST-IN: Tribunal Sacks Three LP House Of Reps Members In Abia

• Ibe Okwara and Emeka Nnamani, representing Arochukwu/Ohafia and Abia North/South Federal Constituencies, were sacked, and the court declared APC and APGA candidates as the respective winners 
• The judgements of the tribunal elicited jubilation in the camp of Daniel Chimezie Okeke at his hometown in Ututu, Arochukwu LGA

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, located in Umuahia, has expelled three Labour Party (LP) members of the House of Representatives, Ibe Okwara Osonwa, Emeka Nnamani, and Munachim Alozie, from the National Assembly.

On Monday, they were expelled after the panel accepted the petitioners’ claims.

The tribunal, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Adegberegbe, ordered that Ibe Okwara Osonwa, a candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), be removed from the House because Daniel Chimezie Okeke, an APC candidate, was able to demonstrate in his petition that Osonwa’s election did not follow the law.

The tribunal, therefore, declared the APC candidate, Daniel Chimezie Okeke as the winner and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ibe Okwara Osonwa and a fresh one should be given to Okeke of APC.

Also, the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Emeka Nnamani was sacked from the Green Chambers and Alex Mascot of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) was declared as the winner.

In its ruling, the tribunal agreed with the petition brought before it by Alex Mascot of APGA, where the petitioner raised questions concerning the academic qualifications of Emeka Nnamani.

In Osisioma/Obingwa/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency, the victory of Munachim Alozie of the Labour Party (LP) was nullified by the election tribunal, which also ordered that a re-run election be conducted by INEC within 90 days.

The tribunal ruled that the margin of victory held by Munachim Alozie was too narrow compared with the number of disenfranchised voters during the February 25 election.

The judgements of the tribunal elicited jubilation in the camp of Daniel Chimezie Okeke at his hometown in Ututu, Arochukwu LGA.

However, Emeka Nnamani and Ibe Okwara Osonwa have told their constituents to remain calm as they will take steps to retain their seats.