The Action Alliance in Abia has called on the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia to cancel the election of the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu of the All Progressive Congress.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria’s, Mohammed Ndalahi, SAN, the Counsel for the party’s candidate, Mr Ifeanyi Igbokwe, made the request during the tribunal’s sitting on Saturday.
The party based its argument on the alleged exclusion of its name and logo from the ballot for the February 25 poll.
While speaking under cross-examination by Ndalahi, the deputy speaker, Kalu, and APC witness, Cyril Kwubiri, claimed that Igbokwe was not validly nominated by AA, hence did not participate in the election.
Kwubiri, however, admitted that none of the documents he tendered in court to support his claim that Igbokwe was not validly nominated emanated from APC.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Samson Gang, adjourned sitting to Aug. 14 for the adoption of the final written addresses by all the parties.
During another cross-examination in suit challenging his eligibility to participate in the election, Kalu debunked forging his credentials contrary to the allegation by the Labour Party Candidate, Chief Frank Chinasa.
Chinasa had alleged in his petition that the credentials presented to INEC by Kalu had fatal discrepancies.
