The Election petition tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital has upheld the election of Senator Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South).
In a judgement, the tribunal panel dismissed the petitions of the Labour Party candidate, Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie, and that of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Barr. Silas Onu.
In a unanimous judgement, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to substantiate their allegations of malpractices and irregularities against the APC candidate, and therefore dismissed their petitions for lacking in merit.
Fielding questions from newsmen after the court session, counsel to Senator Ani, Rou Nweze Umahi, SAN noted that the judgement was in line with the law.
He commended the tribunal for doing justice to the matter.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Stanley Okoroemegha, described the judgement as a victory for the Ebonyi State APC family.
He emphatically stated that that the people of Ebonyi South zone did not vote for the PDP and LP candidates during the election.
He boasted that APC has come to stay in Ebonyi State, and urged those who want to win elections in the future to join the winning party, and stop wasting their times in opposition.
Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, Chidiebere Uzor, while reacting to the judgement described it as a true reflection of the wishes of the people of Ebonyi South Senatorial District.
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Uzor, who led other stakeholders to the tribunal, said the people of Ebonyi South zone only voted for Prof. Ani, and wondered why the LP and PDP candidates contested the outcome of the election.
A one- time Commissioner for Education, Sunday Oyibe, said the judgement will help the Senator to concentrate in offering quality representation to the people.
He commended Governor Francis Nwifuru; Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi; the Chairman of APC in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoroemegha, and other leaders and stakeholders of the party in the state for rallying support for Professor Ani during the electioneering.
Ani was elected to represent the zone in a by-election held on February 3rd 2024 after he polled 46,270 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Ifeanyi Eleje, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who scored 3,513 votes.
The by-election was conducted after Senator David Umahi resigned as Senator representing the zone to serve as Minister of Works.