The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Umuahia has upheld the victory of Senator Orji Kalu in the February 25 polls, representing the Abia-North Senatorial district. The tribunal, led by Justice Samson Paul-Gang, unanimously dismissed the petitions filed by the People’s Democratic Party’s Mao Ohuabunwa and the Labour Party’s Nnamdi Iro-Orji, citing a lack of merit.
Senator Orji Kalu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The tribunal ruled that his election adhered to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Additionally, the tribunal rejected the arguments put forth by the petitioners, who claimed that the election did not take place in over 120 polling units, particularly in Ohafia and Arochukwu Local Government Areas of the senatorial zone.
The petitioners, Iro-Orji and Ohuabunwa, had sought to overturn Senator Kalu’s election, alleging irregularities. They also argued that the total number of registered voters in the allegedly affected polling units exceeded the margin of victory between Kalu and the first and second runners-up.
The tribunal further validated Senator Kalu’s eligibility to contest the election, noting that his previous trial and conviction had been quashed by the Supreme Court. As a result, Senator Orji Kalu was declared the duly elected Senator of Abia North.
In the keenly contested February 25 Senatorial polls, Senator Orji Kalu was declared the winner by INEC, receiving 30,805 votes, while Iro-Orji and Ohuabunwa received 27,540 and 15,175 votes, respectively.
