By Daniel Edu

The Labour Party (LP) and its governorship candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, have concluded their case against the declaration of Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Enugu State governorship election held on March 18. Edeoga and his party contested Mbah’s participation in the election, alleging that he forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate. They also claimed that the election was rigged and that Mbah did not receive the highest valid votes cast.

Edeoga presented several documentary pieces of evidence and called 30 witnesses before the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. These included polling unit results (form EC8A), ward collation results (form EC8B), a summary of the results, and the declaration of the results.

The petitioners also submitted NYSC documents from Oma and Partners, form EC9 of both Chijioke Edeoga and Governor Peter Mbah, as well as BVAS machines. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) was subpoenaed to produce the BVAS machines, but only five machines were presented instead of the full number demanded by the petitioners.

During cross-examination, a senior staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stated that the information generated on the BVAS machines during the governorship election was now contained in the BVAS report from the INEC Headquarters in Abuja. He also mentioned that the machines could only be identified by their codes.

The LP counsel tendered the five BVAS machines to the Tribunal, which were admitted as evidence, despite objections from the PDP and Mbah’s counsels.

Following the conclusion of the petitioners’ case, the INEC counsel requested a date to open their defense. The Chairman of the Tribunal adjourned the matter until July 18 for INEC to present its defense.

The Enugu Governorship Election Petition Tribunal continues to hear the case, which will determine the outcome of the disputed election.