AWKA-ELECTED members of the state and National Assembly in last month’s general elections in Anambra State were, yesterday, issued with Certificates of Return.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, could not issue certificate to anybody for Anambra North Senatorial zone due to the controversy trailing who was the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the zone.

‘Tribunal ’ll sustain democary’

THE senator-elect for Ebonyi South senatorial district, Mr. Sunny Ogbuoji, yesterday, expressed confidence that the tribunal Judges posted to the state would do what was best for the growth and sustenance of democracy in the country.

He stated that there was no reason for him to be perturbed by the petition filed by his opponent, Barrister Idu Igariwey of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, at the State Election Petition Tribunal, considering his overwhelming victory at the polls and genuineness of the elections in the state.

Ogbuoji, who made this known in Abakaliki while highlighting some of the intricacies that occurred during the last National Assembly election in the state, added that the  reason some politicians rushed to the tribunal were that they lacked confidence in themselves and the ongoing electoral reform put in place by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Election tribunal begins sitting in Abia

ABIA State National Assembly and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, yesterday, held its inaugural sitting at the state High Court complex, Umuahia, with the chairman, Justice Abiodun Adebara, warning lawyers and litigants against any attempt to influence the panel members in anyway.

The panel, which also has as its members Justices Joe Acha and Mohmoud Lawal, further warned that there should be no behind-the-door communication for any reason between the litigants or their lawyers and the chairman or any member of the tribunal, insisting that all communications should be in the open court.

The chairman said the warnings became necessary to enable them “see that justice is not only done but also seen to have been done.”

Addressing the inaugural ceremony which was attended mainly by lawyers and journalists, Justice Adebara also warned against delay tactics by counsel who are fond of  asking for unnecessary adjournment, even as he urged the lawyers to be up as the tribunal, in accordance with the new Electoral Act, must deliver judgment 180 days from the day BY anayo okoli

 Suit on Enugu PDP candidature  adjourned to May 31

THE Federal High Court, Enugu, presided over by Justice D. V. Agishi, has adjourned to May 31 the suit asking it to determine the authentic candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State for the just-concluded April general elections.

The suit filed by Senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly candidates of the Chief Caesar Okey Ogbonna-led faction of the party, seeks the pronouncement of the court on  the rightful candidates of the party between it and those produced by the Chief Vita Abba-led executive of the party which is loyal to Governor Sullivan Chime.

The plaintiffs contended that they were the rightful candidates produced by the party for the elections, based on  the dissolution of the state executive of the party  by its national leadership  and the fresh congresses held in the state  last year which produced the new state executive of the party that later conducted primaries which they won as PDP flag bearers.

Justice Agishi, however, adjourned the matter as prayed counsel to the plaintiffs, Awa Kalu (SAN), after counsel to PDP, Mrs. Justina Offiah (SAN), registered her support.