Enugu Tribunal Judgement: Labour Party's Governorship Candidate, Edeoga Heads To Court Of Appeal

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the March 18 governorship election in Enugu State, Chief Chijioke Edeoga, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which dismissed his petition challenging the election of Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party as the governor of the state.


The three-member Panel of Justices led by Justice Kudirat Murayo had while delivering judgement on Edeoga's petition described it as incompetent and lacking in merit and consequently dismissed it. 


SaharaReporters reported that the tribunal had while delivering its judgement, held that a National Youth Service Corps certificate is not a qualification for the election of a governor in Nigeria citing constitutional provisions to back the position.


Edeoga is challenging Mbah's NYSC discharge certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which the issuing authority NYSC had disowned.

NYSC Certificate Not Needed To Contest Gov Election, Enugu Tribunal Tells LP Candidate, Chijioke Edeoga

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However, reacting to the judgement, Edeoga through his campaign organisation in a statement, appealed to his supporters to remain calm while assuring them that he was prepared to go to any length to recover their mandate. 


Signed by the Spokesman, Edeoga/Nwokeabia Campaign Organisation, Engr George Ugwu, LP candidate stated: "We wish to convey the acknowledgment by the Labour Party and its candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, of the judgement as delivered at the tribunal, and to state our preparedness to challenge the outcome of this judgement at the Court of Appeal and to all extents as permitted by law. 


"To this end, we urge our supporters across the state and in other parts of the country to remain calm, and law-abiding, and to go about their businesses without fear or hindrance.


"We retain a firm belief in justice, and will go the full extent legally possible in ensuring that the hopes of Enugu people who turned out in their numbers to vote for Labour Party candidates on March 18, 2023, are realised."