3rd August, 2011
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has fixed Thursday for ruling on the petition brought by Chief Uzor Kalu against the election of Sen. Uche Chukwumerije.
Kalu, who contested for Abia North Senatorial seat under PPA during the April 16 National Assembly elections, is challenging the declaration of Chukwumerije as the winner of the election.
The tribunal had earlier fixed Tuesday for the ruling. But when the matter came up, Mr. Justice Adebara Adebayo, the tribunal chairman requested counsel to Chukwumerije and INEC to mention the date they filed their responses to the pre-trial notice.
Mr. N. Eluwa, counsel to Chukwumerije and Mrs. Maureen Onyema, counsel to INEC said they could not remember the date.
Also, the petition challenging the declaration of Chief Chinenye Ike, PDP, as winner of the National Assembly election for Isala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency was dismissed.
In its ruling on the petition brought by Chief Rowland Amadi of the PPA, the tribunal held that the petitioner’s response to the pre-trial notice was filed four days outside the specified time required by the Electoral Act.