Professor Anthony Okorie Ani’s election as the Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber has been upheld by the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.
The tribunal, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, dismissed the petitions brought forth by the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Barrister Silas Onu.
Unanimously ruling that the petitioners failed to substantiate their allegations of malpractices and irregularities against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, the tribunal dismissed their petitions for lacking merit.
Counsel to Senator Ani, Roy Nweze Umahi, SAN, expressed satisfaction with the judgment, noting that it aligned with the law. He praised the tribunal for its just decision in the case.
Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, hailed the judgment as a triumph for the APC in Ebonyi and emphasized that the electorate in Ebonyi South zone did not support the PDP and LP candidates. He asserted the dominance of the APC in Ebonyi State, urging aspiring winners in future elections to join the victorious party rather than wasting time in opposition parties.
Hon. Chidiebere Uzor, Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, viewed the judgment as a faithful representation of the desires of the people in Ebonyi South Senatorial District. Uzor, accompanied by other stakeholders at the tribunal, stated that the locals in Ebonyi South zone solely voted for Professor Ani, questioning the rationale behind the challenge by the LP and PDP candidates.
Additionally, Chief Sunday Oyibe, the former Commissioner for Education in the state, believed that the judgment would help Senator Ani focus on delivering quality representation to the people. He praised Governor Francis Nwifuru, Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, and other party leaders and stakeholders in Ebonyi State for their support during the electioneering process.
Ani clinched victory in the by-election held on February 3, 2024, securing 46,270 votes to defeat his closest contender, Chief Ifeanyi Eleje of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who garnered 3,513 votes. The by-election was conducted following Senator David Umahi’s resignation as the zone’s Senator to assume the role of Minister of Works.