The Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has recently issued a deadline for Governor Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to respond to interlocutory applications filed by Chijioke Edeoga, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the March 18, 2023 governorship election. Edeoga had contested the declaration of Mbah as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing alleged certificate forgery, which he believes violates the Nigerian Constitution.
The Allegations:
Edeoga's challenge to Mbah's victory centers around allegations of certificate forgery, particularly with regard to the governor's educational qualifications. Citing Section 182 (j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Edeoga sought Mbah's disqualification and approached the tribunal for redress. The controversy emerged in February 2023 when a letter from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) contradicted the discharge certificate submitted by Mbah to INEC during the prequalification phase of the election.
The Contesting Parties:
The Labour Party and its candidate, Edeoga, have vehemently contested the announcement of Mbah as the election winner on several grounds, primarily focusing on the alleged certificate forgery. Lawyers representing the PDP and Mbah argue that the NYSC discharge certificate is not a prerequisite for eligibility in the election. However, the Labour Party maintains that the matter constitutes a violation of the Nigerian constitution, thereby demanding clarity from Mbah.
Interlocutory Questions Raised:
To substantiate their claims, the Labour Party and Edeoga have raised crucial interlocutory questions before the tribunal. These inquiries compel Governor Mbah to provide detailed information regarding his secondary education, including the period of completion of his six-year post-primary education. Additionally, the plaintiffs seek clarification on the year of Mbah's university admission, graduation, attendance at the Nigerian Law School, and the date of his call to the Nigerian Bar.
Further, the interlocutory application demands that Mbah disclose the year and date of his mobilization for the NYSC program, as well as the date of his discharge. The Labour Party is also seeking information concerning Mbah's appointment as Chief of Staff to former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, including the precise date and time of the appointment, and his subsequent appointment as Commissioner for Finance under the same governor.
Conclusion:
The Enugu Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has given Governor Peter Mbah until June 22, 2023, to respond to the interlocutory applications filed by Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party. The case centers around allegations of certificate forgery, which the Labour Party claims violates the Nigerian Constitution. With both parties presenting their arguments, the tribunal will play a crucial role in determining the validity of the allegations and ensuring a fair resolution to this contentious matter
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