Outcome of Abia senatorial polls: Tribunal lauded for validating Senator Kalu’s election for another term
By Chinedu Emeruwa Chinedu
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abia state has been applauded for affirming Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s reelection to represent Abia north district in the Nigerian senate.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress from Abia state, Hon Robinson Otuwe Kalu gave the applause on Thursday, while baring his mind on recent validation of Orji Kalu’s election for another term in office by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the state capital.
He maintained that Kalu’s affirmation as the duly-elected Senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria was a clear indication that judiciary arm of Nigerian government is still the last hope of a common man in society
Mr Otuwe Kalu who was also the APC house of assembly flagbearer for ohafia north constituency seat during the just-concluded 2023 elections held in Abia state, also described recent validation of people’s mandate entrusted to Senator Orji Kalu during the last elections held in Abia north district as a square in a round peg.
According to him, having demonstrated sterling and uncommon capacities in private sector-driven administration and previous elective political leadership positions, Senator Kalu will continue to offer effective representation of Abia north in national assembly by ensuring impactful and development-oriented laws are made, which shall also engender the building of more critical government infrastructural projects in every parts of Abia north senatorial zone.
The frontline party stalwart congratulated Senator Orji Kalu on the affirmation of his well-deserved victory at the recently-concluded national assembly poll held in Abia north and all other senatorial districts of the state which took place in february 25th, 2023 by the INEC.
According to Mr Kalu, “I felt so happy when I heard the good news.
“I give God all the glory. I give kudos to the judges who empaneled the national assembly elections tribunal in Abia state.
“It shows we still have hope for the judiciary.Congratulations to my mentor, distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu”.
He further used the medium to admonish APC members and teeming supporters in Abia to continue to sustain their full supports to Abia chapter of the progressive party in its efforts to secure victory in majority of political seats in Abia state in future electoral competitions.
GLOBALTIMES recalls that Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, the All Progressives Congress Senatorial candidate for Abia north district seat during the concluded 2023 national assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, polled a total highest of 30,805 votes to defeat the candidate of the Labour Party, Nnamdi Iro Oji who scored got 27,540 votes to come second position.
While the Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate, Mao Ohuabunwa scored 15,175 votes to place third.
Dissatisfied on outcome of the poll, Ohuabunwa and Oji approached the national assembly election petition tribunal with separate suits, challenging Kalu’s declaration as winner of the concluded election conducted in Abia north senatorial district in Abia state.
They asked the court to overturn the election of the former Abia Governor as declared by the national Electoral Commission, alleging irregularities.
However, the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, had on September 12, upheld the victory of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia-North Senatorial zone in the February 2023 polls.
A three man panel led by Justice Samson Paul -Gang in its unanimous ruling on Tuesday dismissed the petition of People’s Democratic Party’s Mao Ohuabunwa and Labour Party’s Nnamdi Iro Orji for lacking merit.
The court while upholding the victory of Kalu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, held that the reelection of the former Senate Chief Whip compiled with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
