The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has fixed August 29 for the adoption of final written addresses in a petition filed by Dr Alex Otti of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
Otti is challenging the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 9 governorship poll.
The chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Lekan Ogumoye, announced the date for the adoption of the final written addresses after PDP called its only witness.
Ogumoye, who gave the respondents 10 days to file and serve their addresses, also gave the petitioners seven days to respond and three days for the respondents to reply on points of law.
Ikpeazu closed had his case on Tuesday after calling 39 witnesses. Otti, who emerged third in the poll, is asking for a cancellation of the election in 15 of the 17 local government areas of Abia.
He alleged that the election was marred by massive irregularities.
In a related development, Mr Martin Apugo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency in the February 23 election on Wednesday closed his case at the National/State Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Umuahia.
Apugo called 30 witnesses in his petition challenging the election of Representatives Sam Onuigbo of PDP.
He is asking the tribunal to either declare him winner or declare the election inconclusive.
The chairman of the tribunal, Justice Cornelius Akintayo, adjourned the case to August 19 and August 21 for Onuigbo and PDP to open their defence.
He said that the witnesses’ testimonies would be taken consecutively. (NAN)
