From VAL OKARA, Owerri
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
• PHOTO: Sun news Publishing |
The Supreme Court will today begin hearing on the Imo State 2011 governorship petition brought before it by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Ikedi Ohakim against Governor Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the April 26, 2011 governorship inconclusive and fixed a supplementary poll in three local governments and a ward in the state.
The affected councils included Mbaitoli, Ngor Okpala, Ohaji/Egbema, Orji ward in Owerri North LGA. Okorocha emerged as a winner after the supplementary election while Ohakim was beaten to the second position. The PDP and its candidate, Ohakim, approached the state election petition tribunal to declare the May 6, 2011 supplementary election illegal and revalidate the results obtained during the April 26 polls and declare him winner of the said election but the tribunal dismissed the petition.
According to the tribunal, the case was dead before its arrival and therefore should be thrown in a trash basket. Not satisfied with the outcome at the tribunal, PDP sought redress at the Court of Appeal and lost out.
Daily Sun investigation revealed that the battle ground had shifted to Abuja, the nation’s capital as supporters of both political parties had gone to Abuja in solidarity to their parties.
When Daily Sun visited the Government House, Owerri, and the state secretariat along Port Harcourt Road, people were seen in small groups discussing what might be the outcome of case at the Supreme Court.
The PDP state secretariat, Okigwe Road, which was full of life last Monday was a shadow of itself.
The affected councils included Mbaitoli, Ngor Okpala, Ohaji/Egbema, Orji ward in Owerri North LGA. Okorocha emerged as a winner after the supplementary election while Ohakim was beaten to the second position. The PDP and its candidate, Ohakim, approached the state election petition tribunal to declare the May 6, 2011 supplementary election illegal and revalidate the results obtained during the April 26 polls and declare him winner of the said election but the tribunal dismissed the petition.
According to the tribunal, the case was dead before its arrival and therefore should be thrown in a trash basket. Not satisfied with the outcome at the tribunal, PDP sought redress at the Court of Appeal and lost out.
Daily Sun investigation revealed that the battle ground had shifted to Abuja, the nation’s capital as supporters of both political parties had gone to Abuja in solidarity to their parties.
When Daily Sun visited the Government House, Owerri, and the state secretariat along Port Harcourt Road, people were seen in small groups discussing what might be the outcome of case at the Supreme Court.
The PDP state secretariat, Okigwe Road, which was full of life last Monday was a shadow of itself.
SOURCE: The Sun, 16 February 2012. http://sunnewsonline.com/
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