The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has upheld the election of Hon. Solomon Akpulonu of the Peoples Democratic Party as a member representing Obingwa East constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly.
The court dismissed the petition brought by Mr Peter Azubuike, the candidate of the Labour Party in the March 18 House of Assembly election.
The State election petitions tribunal sitting in Umuahia had earlier upheld Akpulonu’s victory, saying that he was duly elected.
Dissatisfied with the judgement, the Labour Party candidate headed to the appellate court.
However, in a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-man panel, the Appeal Court held that the petitioner failed to prove that the election was marred by over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
In his reaction, Akpulonu dedicated the ruling to his constituents and to democracy, saying that the mandate given to him by his people had been preserved.
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