LP is upset, smells a rat as explanation not given for decision
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Relocation of the Ebonyi State Election Petitions Tribunal (EPT) is upsetting to the Labour (Party) and it smells a rat without explanation being offered for the decision.
The President of the Court of Appeal President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on April 26 directed the tribunal to relocate to Abuja immediately.
State LP Chairman Godwin Jioke said the closure of the court in Ebonyi is of concern to the party.
“We aren’t comfortable with the cessation of operation and decision of moving the EPT sitting to Abuja,” Jioke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, per reporting by Daily Post.
“The decision has to be reconsidered and allow matters to be handled in the state where elections took place.”
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Explanation not given for relocation
Tribunal Secretary Nyior Sekulla explained in Abakaliki on April 26 the tribunal office at the Ebonyi State Judiciary Headquarters in Abakaliki was shut down that day based on the directive from Dongban-Mensem.
“In compliance with the HPCA directives, the petitioners, counsel to parties and general public is hereby informed via this medium that, the EPT sitting here in Abakaliki thereby ceases to operate in Abakaliki as at 26-04-23; filings of processes, taking of proceedings etc shall henceforth continue at Abuja,” Sekulla said, per PREMIUM TIMES.
Asked why the decision to move the tribunal to Abuja, he insisted it was not within his authority to speak on the reasons.
He, however, noted the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal and that of another state are also affected.
Ebonyi Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, and his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) counterpart, Bernard Odoh, have rejected the declaration of Francis Nwifuru as the winner of the poll held on March 18.
Nwifuru, state Assembly Speaker and a member of the APC, is the preferred candidate of Governor David Umahi to succeed him.