Over 7 days after ordering for a supplementary election in some polling units in Abia North, the National and State Assembly Election Petition Panel (Abia North Senatorial District) sitting in Umuahia, Abia state are yet to release a true copy of the September 9 verdict of the tribunal.
It should be recalled that the Tribunal had on September 9th, 2019, Ordered a supplementary election in a plethora of polling units in Abia North Senatorial district. The verdict came on the heels of Mao Ohuabunwa of PDP who had challenged the victory of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu of APC in the Abia North Senatorial zone election.
Following their refusal to release the court verdict, there are strong indications that the action of the Three-man panel, may not be unconnected with the plot to circumvent the electoral process.
The delay tactics has brought unrest in Abia, as Abians are uncomfortable with the delay in the release of the tribunal ruling despite the constitutional requirement that judgement should be delivered to all parties not later than seven days from the date of judgement.
Describing the delay in the release of the judgement as unprofessional and highly commendable, stakeholders in the political circle in Abia state have appealed to the three-man panel to expedite action on the release of the certified true copy of the judgement.
Speaking on behalf of others, Chief Ndukwe Nwabueze appealed to members of the Three-man panel to release the certified true copy of the judgement for the sake of justice and equity.
While stressing that the continued delay in the release of judgement is not good for Nigeria’s democracy, Nwabueze noted that the parties to the suit are disturbed by the delay.
