A Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri has upheld the election of Owelle Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as senator representing Imo West Senatorial District.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice R.A. Ada, on on Thursday, November 7, said that the appeals by Senators Osita Izunaso of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Jones Onyereri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Okorocha lacked merit.
Ada however, reaffirmed the judgement of the State and National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal which upheld Okorocha’s election, adding that it was in order.
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In her words, “the petitioners could not substantiate their allegations of violence, over-voting, mutilation of electoral results and hijacking of electoral officers. The petitioners could not also prove the allegation of duress as alleged by the returning officer.”
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Okorocha as winner of the February 23 senatorial election in Imo West.
Earlier, The Herald reported that Okorocha declared that there is nothing called Igbo Presidency in Nigeria, saying what obtained was Nigerian presidency or Nigerian president not Igbo presidency.
The former governor, however, urged Nigerians to go for someone who has the capacity to create jobs, handle the affairs of the country and provide security.
He said: “Absolutely, democracy is about the people and the South East is not on its own. It is part and parcel of this country. And it is possible. I don’t think that there is anything called Igbo Presidency in Nigeria. We don’t have any of such nomenclature as Igbo Presidency.
‘What you have is a Nigerian Presidency or Nigerian President. What you will be asking would be what do you make of a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction. I think that is the question you are asking. That is the question.
“Absolutely, democracy is about the people and the South East is not on its own. It is part and parcel of this country. And it is possible. But it is possible with supports of other states and other ethnic groups. There is nothing wrong with anyone contesting elections for the office of the President, Republic of Nigeria.
“But we have come to a very crucial moment in our nation’s political history to say that sentiments of where you come from should not determine the position you hold in this country. Rather, we should start looking for people that have something upstairs and who can afford to bring about development and the dividends of democracy in this country.”