The Enugu Bye-Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday annulled the election of Engr Simon Atigwe, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives member representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency.
The tribunal, which held its sittings in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, declared Hon Dennis Agbo of the Labour Party (LP) as the rightful winner of the February 3, 2024 election.
Engr Atigwe had initially secured the seat during the 2023 general election, but his victory was later nullified by the Court of Appeal, which ordered a rerun in about ten polling units within the constituency.
Following the rerun, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Atigwe the winner with 23,863 votes, while Agbo garnered 23,226 votes. Agbo contested the results, alleging widespread manipulation, including the arrest of electoral officials with pre-filled results.
Agbo subsequently petitioned the tribunal, arguing that the election was marred by incorrect result computation and significant non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
In its ruling on Wednesday, the tribunal, chaired by Justice H.N. Kunaza, found merit in Agbo’s petition and declared him the actual winner of the Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency rerun.
