Among the contentious issues before the tribunal is the authenticity of the NYSC discharge certificate of the incumbent Gov, Peter Mbah
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, has announced it will be delivering its verdict on the 2023 governorship election petitions on Thursday, September 21.
Prior to the announcement, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Kudirat Morayo Akano had reserved its judgement, but judiciary sources said it has now fixed its judgement date for Thursday by 9.00 am.
According to The Nation, the development has caused apprehension among the supporters of the two major political parties: the ruling party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).
Among the contentious issues that have gripped the attention of both legal pundits and the general public in the state is the authenticity of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate presented by Peter Mbah, who was declared the winner of the election by INEC.
Labour Party candidate, Chijioke Edeoga had alleged that Mbah failed to fulfil his mandatory youth service obligations before assuming a political post in 2003.
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Another issue surrounding Mbah’s election victory is the fierce debates regarding the validity of the votes accrued during the electoral process.
Furthermore, allegations of extensive electoral malpractice and rigging have cast a shadow over the outcome, particularly in Owo and Ugbawka wards in Nkanu East LGA as well as the Enugu East and Udenu LGAs, where the LP candidate is alleging computation errors that reduced his votes.
In the meantime, normal vehicular traffic is still going on around the Independence Layout of the State High Court complex where the judgement will be delivered.
But Security is expected to.be beefed up on Thursday morning to check any breakdown of law and order.