By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba has reserved judgment on the petition filed by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta South senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 National Assembly Election, against Senator James Manager, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Emmanuel Uduaghan of the APC who is also the petitioner, through his counsel, Thomson Okpoko (SAN), had told the tribunal presided over by Justice C. O. Onyeabo, that the election was marred by irregularities and urged the tribunal to do justice to his petition.
The petitioner contended, among other things, that the first respondent (PDP), INEC and third respondent, James Manager, connived with one another to perpetrate electoral irregularities and that for that reason, the tribunal should cancel the election.
During the tribunal proceedings, Uduaghan called several witnesses to testify in support of his claims just as did the respondents to back up their counter-claims.
At the adoption of the written addresses, Febude Zimugehan, counsel to PDP told the tribunal that the petitioner had been unable to substantiate his claims and that it lacked merit. He argued that the petitioners have not been able to discharge the burden of proof placed on them, and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.
The third respondent, James Manager, represented by Larry Selekeowel (SAN) aligned himself with the position of the first and second respondents and urged the tribunal to reject the petition.
On his part, Uduaghan’s counsel told the tribunal that the petitioners have been able to prove their case and urged the tribunal to cancel the senatorial election which declared James Manager winner.
Justice C. O Onyeabo announced that the date for judgment would be duly communicated to the respective parties.
