The governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abakaliki yesterday affirmed the election of the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi who was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC as the winner of the election held on April 11, 2015.

The candidates of the Labour Party in the election, Chief Edward Nkwegu had approached the election petition tribunal seeking the tribunal to nullify the declaration of Gov Umahi by INEC as the winner of the election on the grounds of electoral violence, irregularities, none compliance to the principles and guild lines of the election among others.

In a more than 8 hour judgment delivered by the tribunal Chairman, Justice Theresa Ijochi, the tribunal held that the petitioners could not prove beyond reasonable doubt its allegation of electoral violence, irregularities and none compliance to the electoral guidelines.

The 3 man tribunal judges dismissed the petition for lack of merit and held that the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP during the election received the highest number of vote cast in the election.

The tribunal judges stated that the petitioners could not state the specific polling units, wards and LGA’s where the irregularities were carried out.

Reacting to the judgment, Chief Umahi described it as victory for democracy and rule of law and reiterated his determination to continue to fight corruption.

He thanked God for the victory and also commended the tribunal judges for restoring the hope of the people.