Tribunal in Umuahia dismisses petition disputing election of Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives

On Tuesday, the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Umuahia dismissed a petition disputing the election of Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Chief Frank Chinasa of the Labour Party disputed Kalu’s victory in the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State National Assembly election on February 25.

In the case filed by his counsel, Mr. Yunus Usman (SAN), the LP candidate sought the tribunal to strike away all votes cast in favour of Kalu since he was ineligible to vote.

According to the petitioner, the deputy speaker was not qualified to vote in the election because he did not meet the educational criteria outlined in Section 65(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution.

He claimed that Kalu used numerous names on different educational diplomas, other than his current identity, Kalu Benjamin Okezie.

Justice Samson Paul-Gang, the panel’s chairman, dismissed the plea for lack of merit.

He asked all parties to shoulder the administrative burden.

The judge concluded that the petitioners had failed to establish their case beyond a reasonable doubt and dismissed the case.