Abia: APC candidate concedes defeat, tasks Abia lawmaker

The All Progressives Congress Umuahia East state constituency candidate in the last 2019 election in Abia state, Mr Austin Okezie Meregini, has formally conceded defeat to Honourable  Chukwudi Apugo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Meregini did this following the Court of Appeal judgment which reaffirmed the verdict of the National Assembly/House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal had dismissed his suit challenging the re-election of Apugo, who was declared winner of the election held on the 9th of March 2019 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Following the verdict, Meregini had approached the Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the declared result, and on the 19th of August 2019, the tribunal upheld the victory of Apugo.

Still not comfortable with the decision, Meregini proceeded to the Appeal Court and prayed that the decision be upturned and that he should be declared the rightful winner of the election.

But the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the election tribunal and affirmed the victory of Hon Apugo.

Reacting to the Appeal Court verdict, Meregini congratulated Honorable Apugo for the victory and promised to help in making Umuahia East Constituency stand out among other constituencies.

“First, I thank Almighty God for everything thus far. And I have to congratulate my opponent Hon Chukwudi Apugo over his victory finally at the Appeal Court. Even though I have some reservations over the judgments of the courts, I have no choice than to accept it as the will of God.

“I have a strong belief in democracy and its tenets as the best form of government and I am happy that democracy is strongly evolving in Nigeria. I urge all my supporters to remain law abiding despite the disappointment we have suffered.

“I’m willing to render support in any way I can to make sure Umuahia East stands out among other constituencies in Abia state”.

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