The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu has cleared the air on the ruling of the Election Tribunal sitting in Umuahia.
Following media reports that he was sacked by the tribunal, Kalu has insisted that the Election Tribunal only ordered for supplementary election in few wards, in just 2 of 5 LGAs. It never ordered INEC to withdraw Kalu’s Certificate of Return, in fact, it gave the distinguished Senator 30 days to appeal the judgment.
In conclusion,Orji Kalu, who was ahead of his closest rival with over 10,000 votes, remains the Senator representing Abia North and not sacked. Orji Kalu ran on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 23 general election, to emerge Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly.
In the ruling delivered on Monday, the Tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a re-run in few wards, in just 2 of 5 local governments of Abia North, within a period of 90 days.
The Tribunal headed by Justice Cornelius Akintayo, also gave the two-time Governor of Abia a 30-day period to appeal the judgment. Reacting to the ruling, Senator Orji Kalu urged his supporters not to lose hope, stressing that his mandate would be reclaimed at the Court of Appeal.
Kalu had polled 30,203 votes against his closest rival, Mao Ohaubunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 20,801 votes in the February 23 poll.
While admonishing members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain strong, steadfast and law-abiding, Orji Kalu noted that he will not relent in sustaining his goodwill at the grassroots. He said that his victory in the 2019 general election was borne out of his popularity among the people, stressing that “justice can only be delayed, but not denied”.
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