By DADA AYOKHAI
The senator representing Edo south district at the national Assembly, Senator Neda Imasuen has dedicated the electoral victory obtained at the National and Assembly petition tribunal where he defeated his two main opponents from the All Progressive Congress APC and people’s Democratic party PDP to Edo people.
The duo of People’s Democratic party PDP, Edo South Senatorial district candidate Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and that of the All Progressive Congress APC, Mr. Valentine Asuen had dragged the labour party candidate, Senator before the election petition tribunal to challenged his victory at the February 25 national Assembly elections.
The petitioners approached the tribunal on four grounds and sought the nullification of Imasuen’s victory for alleged non qualification, over-voting, corrupt practice, non-compliance with the electoral act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the nomination of the 1st respondent by the LP
The three-member panel led by Justice Yusuf Ubale Mohammed, dismissed the petition for lack of merit and incompetent.
Justice Mohammed, who read the over three hours judgement, said the petitioners failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Imasuen was not qualified to participate in the election.
The tribunal held that the allegations of non qualification, party nomination or sponsorship for an election are pre-election matters that can only be entertained by a Federal High Court.
He added that Iduoriyekemwen and his party PDP also failed to prove that the senator did not score the majority of valid votes in the election.
Justice Mohammed, further held that the petitioners were unable to prove the case of non-compliance with the electoral act and irregularities mentioned during the election.
Earlier, the tribunal through a motion on notice filed before it by the respondents had dismissed the petition on the ground that it was not properly signed, inferring that the Petitions were brought in dead before the court.
Reacting to the court verdict, Senator Imasuen while dedicating the court victory to the people of Edo commended the tribunal for its courage to interpret the law as it should be and for also standing for the truth of the justice.
