The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal in Imo State has delivered a groundbreaking verdict, resulting in the removal of Mr. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the sitting member of the House of Representatives, representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in Imo State.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Anthony Akpovi, reached a unanimous decision, ruling that Mr. Ugochinyere was ineligible to participate in the election due to his emergence from an invalid primary election conducted outside the constituency.
This significant judgment, handed down just moments ago, has sent shockwaves throughout the political landscape. In its ruling, the tribunal, currently convening in Nasarawa State, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a supplementary election within the next 90 days. This supplementary poll will encompass 55 polling units, where substantial evidence demonstrated that the original election never took place.
In a further twist, the tribunal also prohibited Mr. Ugochinyere, a former spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Party (CUPP), and his party, the PDP, from participating in the forthcoming supplementary election. This decision was made due to their violation of the Electoral Act by conducting an invalid primary election.
The tribunal’s verdict stemmed from a petition identified as EPT/IM/HR/10/2023, which had been filed by Mr. Abazu Chika Benson and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This groundbreaking ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Imo State and may pave the way for significant shifts in representation within the state’s federal constituencies.
