The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu has nullified the election of the senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, Gilbert Nnaji, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It ordered that fresh election be conducted in the senatorial district within 90 days.
The tribunal held that the election did not comply with the 2010 Electoral Act as it was marred by irregularities.
In his judgment on the petition, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Matthew Adewara said allegations of alteration of results, mutilations and cancellation were proven by the petitioners.
Relying heavily on the evidence of the forensic expert, who testified on behalf of Chimaroke Nnamani, a former governor of the state, the tribunal held that irregularities alleged in the conduct of the election were “gross and fundamental.”
The tribunal pointed out that the election did not comply with the rule on accreditation of voters and with proven cases of multiple voting, ballot box snuffing and over voting.
Nnamani had filed the petition at the tribunal, challenging the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nnaji as winner in the election.
He alleged that there were widespread irregularities, malpractices and corruption in the conduct of the election and also that the conduct of the election was not in substantial compliance of the 2010 Electoral Act.
Nnamani contested on the platform of People for Democratic Change (PDC).
