The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Thursday September 7, nullified the election of Hon Maureen Chinwe Gwacham of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the member representing Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency.
The tribunal in a petition filed by Hon. Charles Uchenna Okafor of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) ordered for a re run in eight polling units in Umueje ward, Ayamelum LGA
ANN recalls that Hon. Gwacham was declared the winner of the February 25 National Assembly poll after INEC declared her votes as 15299 while Hon. Okafor (Wiper) garnered a total of 13332 votes, Labour Party candidate Chira Obiora Uzochukwu scored 8159 votes with the former incumbent House of Representatives PDP member, Hon. Vincent Ofumelu handed 6912 votes.
It was reported that voting in umueje ward was deliberately scuttled as it is a well-known political enclave and support base of the YPP Candidate , Hon Okafor.
Meanwhile, PDP’s Ofumelu had his own petition struck out by the tribunal .
Speaking to newsmen after the judgment Barrister Oliver Okonkwo the Director General to
Hon. Charles Uchenna Okafor said
“The judgement orders INEC to conduct re-run at the eight polling unit in Umueje community in Ayamelum LGA within 90 days from today, stating that it shouldn’t have been concluded, and that it is inconclusive because election did not hold there.
” The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return giving to Hon Maureen Chinwe Gwacham.
“My advice to Hon. Okafor is to go back to the drawing board and start mobilizing in those eight polling units and hopefully, he will win’. Barr. Okonkwo concluded.
