The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State has dismissed a petition by Hon. Atai Aidoko, challenging the election of Senator Emmanuel Dangana as lawmaker representing the eastern flank of the state.
Delivering judgment yesterday,t he chairman of the tribunal, Justice Celine Nweke, said the petitioner could not substantiate his allegations of malpractices and dismissed the case for want of evidence.
She said the issues of malpractices categorized in six groups have thoroughly looked into by the members, and they were not sufficient to invalidate the exercise held in April this year.
She wondered how the petitioner could have known that those who were disenfranchised were to vote for him when the process was secret balloting, even as she stressed that the issue had nothing to do with the election itself.
On the wrong entry of figures in some areas, Justice Nweke held that the evidence supplied by the petitioner fell short of the requirement by law, saying the minor errors were not enough to affect the overall result of the election.
She subsequently declared that the April senatorial election for Kogi East substantially complied with the electoral Act 2010,as amended, and affirmed the victory of Senator Emmanuel Dangana.
Counsel to All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Mr. Isaac Ekpa agreed with the position of Justice Nweke, but said they would advise the petitioner on the next line of action.
But counsel to Senator Dangana, Mr. Philip Abalaka commended the judge for the knowledgeable judgement, saying they would learn a lot from the well delivered verdict.
?