Posted by IHEANACHO NWOSU, Asst. Political Editor on
BARRING last minute hitches, Anambra Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Garba Nabaruma will this week deliver judgment on the petition filed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in the 2003 election in the state, Mr. Peter Obi challenging the declaration of the incumbent governor, Dr. Chris Ngige as the winner of the polls.
BARRING last minute hitches, Anambra Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Garba Nabaruma will this week deliver judgment on the petition filed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in the 2003 election in the state, Mr. Peter Obi challenging the declaration of the incumbent governor, Dr. Chris Ngige as the winner of the polls.
Already, there is palpable tension, anxiety and apprehension in the state capital where the judgment is expected to be delivered by the five-man Election Petitions Tribunal.
Sunday Champion investigations reveal that, though the tribunal declined to make public the date of the ruling, arrangements have been concluded for the judgment to hold either on Tuesday, August 9 or Friday, August 12.
The reason for the tribunal's refusal to disclose the date, Sunday Champion learnt is predicated on security and the need not to increase the current political tension pervading the state capital and other cities in the state.
Both the Anambra State government and APGA authorities confirmed to Sunday Champion that they are looking forward to the ruling this week, but none could state the precise date.
According to the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Gov. Ngige, Mr. Fred Chukwuelobe, "we are waiting for the judgment." In a telephone interview with Sunday Champion, he further said "it is a welcome development, but the date is not yet known, we don't know the precise date it will take place."
APGA acting national chairman, Obi's party, Chief Victor Umeh also said the party is eagerly awaiting the ruling.
He said "Everything considered, my candidate (Peter Obi) has done everything to prove his case beyond reasonable doubts that indeed he won the election."
He continued "his hands are crossed, he is expecting the best based on the evidence he laid before the tribunal and the witnesses he called during the trial."
Umeh noted that the party would have preferred that the tribunal gave notice of judgment through the registrar of the court to both parties. There is no reason for it not to inform the parties through their counsel," he said.
Obi filed a petition challenging the declaration of Dr. Ngige as winner of the 2003 governorship election in Anambra State in 2003. The petition which has spanned two years, is considered as one of the longest in the election tribunal in this dispensation.
Arguments by both sides was formally closed on Thursday, June 4. Since then, the two parties and Nigerians have been sitting on the edge waiting for the judgment.