The Election Petition Tribunal Panel 1 sitting in Asaba has quashed the election of Hon. Benson Rolands Igbakpa (PDP) as member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the green chambers of the National Assembly.
Hon. John Agoda of the APC, who contested the February 23, 2019 National Assembly Election against Hon. Igbakpa, had approached the tribunal complaining of gross irregularities by Hon. Igbakpa, PDP his party, and INEC against him.
He urged the tribunal to cancel the election or in the alternative, declare him the winner having scored the highest number of valid votes cast, allegations Hon. Benson Roland Igbakpa denied.
The tribunal presided over by Justice A.M. Abubakar, agreed with the issues raised by Hon. John Halims Agoda, and ruled Hon. John Halims Agoda as the winner of the election. It ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to him.
Speaking to journalists after the tribunal judgment, Hon. Agoda expressed gratitude to the judiciary for having the courage to right the wrong and commended the electorates in Ethiope Federal Constituency for their support.
Also, the Election Ptition Tribunal Panel III presided over by Justice E.I Ngene has dismissed the petition brought by Mr. Joel Thomas Onovwakpor against Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP).
Hon. Joel Thomas Onovwakpor who contested against Leo Ogor at the February 23, 2019 National Assembly Election to represent Isoko Federal Constituency at the National Assembly claimed that Hon. Leo Ogor, his party (PDP) and INEC connived to perpetrate massive electoral irregularities and that the tribunal should cancel the election or declare him the winner for scoring the highest number of valid vote cast.
But Leo Ogor claimed that Mr. Joel Thomas Onovwakpor relied mainly on the voters registers which were not pleaded and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.
In its ruling, the tribunal, presided over by Justice E. I. Ngene agreed with the position of Leo Ogor and dismissed the petition saying the petitioner has not been able to prove his case.
Also, Hon. Monday Igbuya, APC candidate in the February 23rd 2019 National Assembly Election equally suffered the same fate as his petition against the current member representing Okpe/Uvwie, and Sapele federal constituency, Hon. Efe Afe (PDP) was dismissed.
The election petition tribunal presided over by Justice E.I. Ngene was satisfied that Hon. Monday Igbuya has not been able to prove his as case.
