The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has upturned the unanimous decision of the tribunal and affirmed Augustine Akobundu as duly elected Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on February 27, declared Labour Party’s Darlington Gideon Nwokocha winner with 92116 votes against against PDP’s Akobundu who scored 41447 votes.
Others who filed are Chief Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo of the All Progressives Congress (APC-incumbent at the time) and Chief Ahamdi Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who scored 7997 and 4637 votes respectively.
Dissatisfied with the results, Akobundu, a retired army colonel & ex-Minister of Defence (State) under the Jonathan administration alongside the PDP challenged the declaration and return of Nwokocha (ex-member representing Isiala-Ngwa North & South Federal Constituency) as winner.
On September 11, the three-man dismissed the suit for lacking in merit and upheld the Senate Minority Whip, Nwokocha as duly elected.
The PDP & Akobundu appealed to the final Court in these matters who upheld the arguments and appeal, affirming Akobundu as duly elected and returned.
The Appeal Court ordered the INEC to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Nwokocha and issue same to Akobundu.
Akobundu is only one of two PDP Senators from the South East Zone.