Anxiety in Enugu as court sets today for judgement on govnor election

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The coal city state of Enugu is today in pregnant mood as the Governorship and House of Assembly Election petition tribunal delivers judgement on the state’s governorship poll today, Thursday

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Kudirat Morayo Akano earlier reserved its judgement and according to judiciary sources, had on Tuesday, September 19, announced its judgement date for Thursday, September 21, by 9.00 am for the March 2023 Governorship Election.

The announcement has since activated panic mood among the supporters of the two major political parties of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).
The matter between Chijioke Edeoga of LP and Governor Peter Mbah of PDP has been the most interesting in the history of post-election legal disputes in Enugu State.

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.

The opposition Labour Party had alleged that Mbah failed to fulfil his mandatory youth service obligations before assuming a political post in 2003.

The broader issues surrounding Mbah’s election victory also encompass 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.

Informed security sources have hinted that security arrangements will be stepped within the court and around the state capital to restore orderliness.