Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
This followed an allegation that he was illegally nominated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to contest the April 11, 2015 governorship election.
The court dismissed the suit which was lodged by a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Senator Anyogu Eze, as lacking in merit.
In a unanimous verdict, a five-man panel of Justices of the apex court resolved all the issues against the appellant, even as it upheld the judgement of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal which earlier affirmed Ugwuanyi’s election victory.
The Apex Court panel, presided by Justice Kayode Ariwola, berated the appellant for appealing a case that had been previously decided, saying there was no point re-litigating an issue bordering on the primary election that produced Ugwuanyi.
The court said that by the provision of section 87 (4) and (9), the appellant, who did not participate in the said primary election, lacked the locus-standi to query the outcome.
“There is no substance in this appeal and it is accordingly dismissed.”
The Supreme Court further awarded N1million cost against the appellant, in favour of Ugwuanyi who was cited as the 4th respondent.
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