Ekwunife floors Umeh in the Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal, Enugu division, on Friday, at about 2.30pm, delivered judgment on the Appeal filed by Chief Victor Umeh and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), seeking to set aside the judgment of the Tribunal, which earlier affirmed Senator Uche Ekwunife's election.

Justice Ignatius Igwe Agube, while reading the judgment signed by two other justices, dismissed the appeal filed by Chief Victor Umeh and his party, APGA, for lack of merit.

While agreeing with the judgment of the tribunal delivered on the 9th of September, 2019, Justice Agube stated that the appellant, while challenging the nomination of Senator Uche Ekwunife as the candidate of PDP, wrongly relied on Section 285 (13) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Justice Agube also stated that the nomination of candidates is a pre-election matter, which is outside the mandate of the Election Petition Tribunal, hence, the appellant has no business bringing the matter to the tribunal in the first place.

In dismissing 15 ground appeal, Justice Agube stated that substitution is nomination, therefore, the Senator Uche Ekwunife was duly nominated as provided by the electoral act. He held that the appellant, being a member of another political party, had no business challenging the nomination of Senator Uche Ekwunife as PDP candidate.

Justice Agube also held that the appellant failed to prove his allegations of non-compliance.

Recall that Senator Uche Ekwunife emerged victorious in the February 23rd Anambra Central Senatorial Election, defeating her closest rival, Chief Victor Umeh, in the entire seven local government areas of the senatorial district.

The judgment, which affirmed Senator Ekwunife's election as the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, brings to an end the contest for the senate seat of Anambra Central.

Tension In Uruagu Nnewi As Community Leaders Dare Soludo,Defy Court Order

The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli aka Organizer, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have swept Soludo's directive to the gutters, by reason of their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community's youth forum, led by Ejike Ifejiofor, and subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community. The Anambra governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community leaders to stay any action regarding suspension of the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum. The community had, through its PG, Chief Okoli, written to the Ministry of Youths Development, notifying the ministry of "immediate suspension" of the youth group over alleged insecurity in the area. But the ministry,...

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic. Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation. Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...

Federal Polytechnic Oko Holds Two-Day Recruitment Interview to Address Staff Shortages

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has begun a two-day interview exercise aimed at recruiting qualified personnel to fill vacant positions arising from staff retirements and other forms of exit from service. The exercise commenced on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and is being overseen by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, who personally announced the names of shortlisted candidates. Addressing the applicants, Dr. Awuzie cautioned that while many candidates were invited for the exercise, only a limited number would eventually be engaged, citing budgetary constraints facing the institution. She urged the candidates to remain patient and understanding throughout the process. According to the Rector, the recruitment exercise was structured to ensure transparency, fairness, and strict compliance with approved financial limits. Speaking with journalists at the interview venue, the Acting Registrar, Chief Dominic Nwagwu, explained that the exercise became necessary...