The Anambra State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in the state capital Awka has concluded hearing and fixed May 23 as a day for the adoption of addresses by the lead counsel to all the parties involved in the litigation.

The victory of Chief Willie Obiano of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the governorship election held last November 16, 17 and 30 is being challenged before the tribunal by Dr. Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Comrade Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Yesterday, Governor Obiano during the last day of hearing again maintained his stance at the Justice Ishaq Bello-led tribunal that he has only one voter’s card accredited to his name. He said it was also the one issued to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his application for transfer of his voting right from Lagos to Anambra State.

Responding to questions during cross examination by Mr. A.O. Ajana, the counsel to Comrade Nwoye, Governor Obiano denied the allegation that he possessed more than one voter’s card or registered twice.

On the issue of having under-aged persons vote at the election, he said that he did not see under-aged persons vote during the election at the time he went for accreditation and voting.

“I arrived the polling unit at about 8.30 am and was accredited along with others. I also voted when the voting started, just like others,” he said.

Answering a question as to how he was able to know that under aged persons did not vote, Obiano said: “At my age of 59, I should be able to tell the age of someone.

“At the end of the election, votes were counted and results were collated and I was declared the winner. Apart from the voter register issued to me by INEC, I do not have any other voter’s card. The one I was using in Lagos was submitted to INEC when I applied for the transfer of my voter card on 19th August 2013.”

Reacting to the question put across to him by Ajana, counsel to PDP, Obiano said he would not subscribe to the insinuation that the governorship election was invalid, adding that he was also very qualified to contest as a governor of the state.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano.

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