By Eseoghene Emuke
The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday struck out the petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Samuel Mariere, challenging the election victory of the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rev. Francis Ejiroghene Waive.
Tribunal panel led by its chairman, Justice A. M. Abubakar, dismissed Mariere’s petition for lack of merit.
Mariere had approached the tribunal seeking it to be declared as the winner or in the alternative the election been cancelled for lack of election irregularities and non-compliance with the electoral act during the election.
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Delivering judgement, Justice Abubakar held that Waive, who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the election haven secured the majority of lawful votes during the February 23, 2019 election.
The tribunal also held that the claims by the petitioner that 320 votes allegedly meant for him was not recorded could not been proved by Mariere and his party, PDP, before the panel.
It also dismissed the allegation of falsification of result leveled against Rev Waive by the petitioner for failure to provide evidence.
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Meanwhile, the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Waive, while reacting to the judgement thanked the tribunal panel for upholding his election.
The lawmaker, however, dedicated his tribunal victory to God Almighty and his constituents for their continued support, saying that the tribunal victory would spur him to offer quality representation to the people of the constituency.
According to him, “I dedicate this victory to the Almighty God and the good people of Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Federal constituency.
“I renew my commitment to work for our people and make the difference we’ve all yearned for. I call for the support of all and sundry to bring the dividends of democracy to our constituency.”
