APGA wins again as Onitsha South Chairman defeats opponent

The Onitsha zone of the Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal yesterday upheld the election of Chief Mrs. Ann Chukwuneke  as the chairman of Onitsha South Local Government.

Delivering his judgment in a charged atmosphere at the Onitsha High Court premises of the Tribunal, the presiding judge, Mr. Justice Vin Agbata held that the petition of the PDP candidate in the January election, Chief Sabastine Uzoeto lacked merit in the said matter as the APGA candidate, Mrs. Chukwuneke won convincingly.

Justice Agbata held that after all submissions by both lawyers of the appellant and the defendant that the whole proceedings would amount to mere academic exercise and thereby struck out the case for lack of merit.

Counsel to APGA candidate, Mrs. Ann Chukwuneke, Mr. Dubem Mbanefo from Onyechi Ikpeazu Chambers described the judgment as worthy of celebration as that would mark the end of the judicial travails of his client, adding that the judgment would grant the local government boss the opportunity to deliver on her election promises to the people.

In an interview with Onitsha South Local Government Chairman, Mrs. Ann Chukwuneke thanked all her supporters for standing by her throughout her political and judicial travails and swore to uphold all tenets of democracy by delivering on her election promises.

While the PDP candidate, Chief Sebastian Uzoeto lamented on the outcome of the judgment but, added that his next appeal lies with God.

Some supporters of APGA in Onitsha South, Messrs Eloka and Ejike Okeke both thanked the judiciary for the “sound” judgment and described Mrs. Chukwuneke’s victory as victory for democracy.