The election petition tribunal in Delta has upheld the elections of two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members representing Aniocha North and Oshimili South constituency at the state Assembly, Mr. Emeka Nwobi and Mr. Shedrack Rapu respectively.
The tribunal separately presided over by Justice A.M. Abubakar and E.I. Ngene, dismissed the petitions on the grounds that the petitioners were unable to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt.
Chinye Nnabundo of the APC had filed a petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), challenging the election of Emeka Nwobi.
Nnabundo, who contested the state Assembly election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 9, 2019 elections to represent Aniocha North constituency in the Delta state Assembly, had dragged INEC, Emeka Nwobi, and PDP before the tribunal in his petition with suit No: EPT/DT/SHA/2019.
Nnabundo, represented by Lawal Habeeb Esq, had complained that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2019 as amended.
He raised other essential issues that the election was marred by electoral fraud, ranging from over voting, rigging and other acts.
He urged the tribunal to do justice to the petition by cancelling the election or in the alternative, declare him winner, having scored the highest number of valid votes cast.
In their opposition to the petition, John Okoriko, and Joe Odibeli urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, saying the petitioner has not been able to discharge the burden of proof placed on him to substantiate his claims/allegations.
The tribunal dismissed the petition saying that the petitioner has not been able to prove his case.
At panel III presided over by E.I Ngene, the tribunal dismissed the petition brought by Isioma Ndah of APC against Shedrack Rapu of PDP for her inability to prove her case that there was an electoral irregularity.
Isioma Ndah of APC had contested against Shedrack Rapu, PDP, in the March 9th, 2019 House of Assembly election to represent Oshimili South constituency in the Delta state Assembly.
