SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, (THEWILL) – As the Abia State Election Tribunal swings into action, Mr. Ndionyenma Nwankwo, counsel to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in the just-concluded general elections in the state, Dr. Alex Otti, Friday alleged conspiracy among the respondents to delay the tribunal’s proceedings in the petition filed by Otti.
Nwankwo made the allegation during Friday’s sitting of the tribunal in Umuahia, the state capital, saying he was amused that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is the third respondent, could file three motions, challenging the merit of Otti’s petition.
He told newsmen at the end of the sitting that the first and second respondents, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were conniving with INEC to ensure that the matter did not go on as expeditiously as expected.
He said that the delay tactics being adopted by the respondents were designed to ensure that the tribunal would not be able to cover enough ground before the expiration of the time allotted it by the electoral law .
Nwankwo however expressed the hope that the tribunal would dispense justice in the matter, given the disposition of its Chairman, Justice Usman Bwala.
In his response, counsel to INEC, Mr. Hagler Okorie, described the allegation as baseless.
Okorie said that the first and second respondents were defending their declaration as the winners, adding that his assignment was to defend the actions and results declared by INEC.
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