Tribunal Affirms Mbah’s Election as Enugu Governor, Dismisses Petitions

The Enugu State Governorship Election Tribunal has affirmed the victory of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18, 2023, governorship election. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Kudirat Murayo Akano, dismissed the petitions filed by the candidates of the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), who challenged Mbah’s election on various grounds.

The LP candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, had alleged that Mbah’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate was forged and that he was not qualified to contest for the office of governor. He also alleged that Mbah won the election amid irregularities and overvoting, thereby seeking nullification of his victory.

However, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations with credible and admissible evidence. It held that Mbah did not submit his NYSC certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support his qualification to contest for the office of governor since he was already qualified without an NYSC certificate. It also held that the petitioners did not present any original certificates or forged ones to prove the issue of forgery.

The tribunal further rejected the petitioners’ claims of overvoting and bypassing biometric verification agents (BVAs) in the election. It held that the petitioners did not specify the polling units where the elections did not take place or the results of the same. It also held that the petitioners did not provide any evidence to show that the election was not conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and the INEC guidelines.

The judgement was greeted with jubilation by Mbah’s supporters and party members, who thronged the tribunal premises to celebrate his victory. Mbah, who was present at the tribunal, thanked God and the people of Enugu State for their support and confidence in him. He also extended a hand of fellowship to the petitioners and other opposition parties and urged them to join him in moving the state forward.