The National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, has dismissed the petition brought before it by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Soalueze Paul Eluaka, challenging the victory of the candidate of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Bridget Anyafulu in the March 18, 2023 State House of Assembly election.
Chairman of of the three man panel of the Tribunal, Justice Catherine Ogunsola, who read the judgement, on Saturday September 9tj 2023, said the Petitioner’s case lacked merit, adding that the petitioner failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.
The Tribunal further said that the evidence of the the petitioner was not admissible in law. disclosing that the Petitioner was the Respondent’s brother and the election a family contest.
Meanwhile, Hon. Anyafulu, has commended the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba for upholding her victory in the March 18 State Assembly election, saying the verdict is a call to quality representation.
Anyafulu, who gave the commendation shortly after the judgement in an interview in Asaba, said the Tribunal did a thorough job which affirmed the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Hon Anyafulu said it could have been the other way round but for the grace of God, promising to channel her energy to positively impacting the lives of her constituents.
“It’s time to bring the desired change to the Oshimili South Constituency. This I will do by ensuring quality representation of my constituents who reposed a high level of confidence in me during the March 18 polls.
“The petition was a huge distraction, but I am glad that the coast is now clear for me to begin to dialogue with my people on the way forward”.
Anyafulu, flanked by her supporters, said she would partner with the relevant stakeholders to address the challenges of the Constituency through the instrumentality of law making and other legislative functions.
The renowned Human Rights activist said her ambition had been to bring about the transformation of the Oshimili South Constituency through investment in sustainable development initiatives.
“I know the problems because I have been with the people; I know the challenges and the aspirations of the people.
“I am also aware of the present situation in the country and what our people are passing through in terms of poverty and insecurity, including the shortfalls in human capital and infrastructural development.
“All these are on the table and I will work with my people to see how, together, we will turn things around for the good of all”, she said.
Anyafulu thanked the Tribunal for upholding justice, which she said had restored the people’s confidence in the Judiciary in protecting the rights of the common man.
“This is a victory for democracy and a win for the entire people of Oshimili South who stood by me during the election and prayed for me while the judicial process lasted.
“It is now time to prove to my constituents that they made the right choice by electing me to represent them at the State Assembly and I do hereby promise to do my best to justify the confidence reposed in me”, she said.
