NGIGE GOES TO TRIBUNAL OVER ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP POLL

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Anambra State governorship election Senator Chris Ngige has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four others to the Anambra State Governorship and Legislative Houses Elections Petition Tribunal at Awka.
Ngige is praying the tribunal to nullify the election and to call for a fresh poll in the state.
Also joined as respondents in the petition instituted by Ngige and APC are the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State, Prof Chukwuemeka Onukaogu; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Chief Willie Obiano, the APGA candidate in the election, and the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD).
Meanwhile, the tribunal has ordered that Obiano and APGA be served by substituted means by pasting the petition on the tribunal’s notice board. The order was made on 22nd December, 2013 while the respondents are expected to respond within 14 days.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Tony Nwoye has also filed a petition at the tribunal. 
Mr. Nwoye was one of those disenfranchised during the election, as he and several members of his family did not find their names on the voters’ register used for the election, though they had their voters’ cards.
In the petition filed by their counsel Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), George Uwechue (SAN) and Emeka Ngige (SAN) among others, the petitioners are asking the tribunal to nullify the election, claiming that it was vitiated by substantial non-compliance with mandatory statutory requirements and irregularities and that “none of the candidates in the said election was entitled to be returned.”
The petitioners have prayed the tribunal to declare that Obiano was not duly elected or returned and that his election was void. They are also asking the tribunal to determine that the use of an invalid Voters’ Register rendered the elections of 16th, 17th and 30th November, 2013 invalid by reason of non-compliance with provisions of Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
Ngige and APC are also seeking a declaration that election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and/or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, and that Obiano was not qualified to contest the questioned election as the APGA candidate.
Source: Daily Trust