Tribunal affirms Stella Oduah’s election as Senator

Anambra state election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka, has affirmed the election of Senator Stella Oduah .

The Judgement, which lasted over four hours, was given in Awka by the Chairman of the election petitions Tribunal, Justice Esther Haruna.

Senator Oduah, representing Anambra North Senatorial zone was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the National Assembly elections on 23rd February, 2019 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party PDP.

After the elections, the former Minister of Aviation, was dragged to the tribunal by the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Chinedu Emeka, who was former Deputy Governor of the state.

The APGA candidate in his petition at the tribunal, alleged that Oduah was not qualified to contest the election because she did not possess the required academic qualifications.

Again, he added that by the time of the election, that Oduah was still a member of APGA.

The former Deputy Governor also alleged that the election did not comply with the Electoral Act.

However, delivering the judgement Thursday, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Esther Haruna, said the petitioner failed to prove his allegations beyond reasonable doubt and therefore, said the PDP candidate was validly elected

Meanwhile, the tribunal also affirmed the election of Hon Valentine Ayika of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia federal Constituency in the state.

The PDP candidate, who was former House of Assembly member, was dragged to the tribunal by the former member, representing the area, Hon Dozie Nwankwo, who contested on the platform of APGA