By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
The suit against the election of the lawmaker representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi has been dismissed by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.
The tribunal on Monday dismissed the petition filed by one Ejiofor Vincent Chukwu challenging the victory of Nwebonyi as the Senator of Ebonyi North District on Saturday 25 February National Assembly polls.
According to a press release by Senator Nwebonyi's Legislative Media Aide, Romanus Uzor, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, dismissed the suit against his principal because it lacked merit.
Uzor disclosed that the tribunal awarded a fine of 250,000 Naira against the petitioner for wasting the expensive time of the bench.
He recalled that the learned Justices of the Panel had earlier dismissed the petition in limine but graciously accepted to hear it afterwards. The decision in his words, was taken to avert a situation whereby the Appeal Court may disagree with the tribunal for dismissing the petition in limine.
Uzor said: "After an extensive hearing of the petition in merit, the learned Justices of the Panel unanimously agreed that the petition was utterly lacking in merit and deserved to be thrown into the dustbin of history.
"Part of the judgement reads: The evidence of the Petitioner’s witnesses was contradictory, hearsay, and lacking in probative value. There was nothing for the Respondents to respond to in the petition as the petitioner never really made any effort to prove the petition. Besides, the petitioner had no locus standi to present the petition because he was not a candidate in the questioned election.”
Also, Senator Nwebonyi has described the judgement as a triumph for the rule of law and democracy. He hailed the judges for their superlative jurisprudence and courage to do the right thing.
“The Judiciary has continued to superintend the country’s nascent democracy through arbitration of electoral disputes and other matters. I salute the courage of the learned Justices of the panel who stood their ground without minding whose ox is gored.
"I dedicate this victory to the Almighty God and the good people of Ebonyi North Senatorial District who overwhelmingly gave me their votes. I will never let you down, my people," the lawmaker declared."
He, however, extended an olive branch to his opponent, noting that it was now time to close rank and work towards the progress of their senatorial district.
