Tribunal sacks Orji Kalu

The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, has nullified the election of Orji Uzor Kalu as the senator representing Abia North senatorial district.

The tribunal also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in eight wards in Arochukwu Local Government Area and several polling units in Ohafia and Isukwuato LGAs where votes were cancelled during the senatorial election in Abia North.

A three-man tribunal led by Justice Cornelius Akintayo gave this judgment while ruling on a petition brought before it by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election, Mao Ohuabunwa.

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Ohuabunwa had challenged the victory of the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in the senatorial election.

According to Ohuabunwa, the declaration by the returning officer, Charles Anumudu, that Kalu won the poll was “excess electoral fraud and broad daylight robbery.”

He, therefore, approached the tribunal to seek justice.

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