By Ken Afor
The Court Appeal in Abuja has declared candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Ngozi Okolie, winner of the 2023 election for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta State, sacking Ndudi Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It would be recalled on July 24, the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal in Asaba, Delta State declared Elumelu winner of the election but the judgment of the tribunal was overturned on Thursday by the Court after the LP candidate filed an appeal.
Details revealed that the tribunal in Asaba voided Okolie’s election following a petition filed by Elumelu, a two-time member of the House of Representatives on the grounds that the LP candidate was not duly nominated by the party.
According to the petition by the PDP, Okolie was still serving as a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Delta State Government before he was nominated by the party.
But the Court of Appeal in its judgement on Thursday, faulted the tribunal for voiding Okolie’s election and dismissed the petition filed by Elumelu before the tribunal where the voided judgment was given.
The Court of Appeal agreed with counsel to the LP, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) that contrary to the findings of the tribunal, Okolie was duly nominated and sponsored by his party.
The Court also agreed with the counsel that the candidate resigned his appointment as SSA to the state government as required by the constitution.
It would be recalled that Elumelu had served as a member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Delta State, between 2007 and 2015.
He returned to the green chamber in 2019 where was appointed as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
