The Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has ruled that Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party was validly elected as the state governor in the March 18, 2023 election. The Tribunal struck out the petition of the Labour Party candidate, Chidioke Edeoga, challenging the election of Mbah as the state governor.
The three-member Tribunal headed by Justice Kudirat Morayo struck out Edeoga’s petition bordering on allegations of over-voting and bypass of Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
It further held that the witnesses presented by the Labour Party candidate were not accredited by INEC and, therefore, did not comply with the requirements of the electoral guidelines.
On the allegation that Mbah presented a forged NYSC Discharge Certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Tribunal ruled that the PDP candidate satisfied the provisions in the 1999 Constitution to contest the governorship election.
Morayo insisted that NYSC discharge certificate was not part of the qualifications provided by the Constitution for running elective office.
The court, therefore, ruled that Mbah was duly elected as governor by majority of lawful and valid votes cast at the March 18 election.
The Tribunal also ruled that the petitioner could not prove his allegations of forgery against Mbah.
