Breaking News: Appeal Court Dismisses Ngonadi’s Appeal Against Hon. Smart’s Victory

The Appeal Court has just affirmed Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor as the winner of the 2019 House of Assembly election for Nnewi North State Constituency which held on the 9th day of March 2019, while throwing out Mr. Obinna Ngonadi petition challenging the outcome of the election.

The five-man Appeal Court panel dismissed Ngonadi’s petition for lacking in merit.

While we await the details of the Judgement, it is important to note that the appellants, Obinna Ngonadi and Young Progressive Party (YPP) were seeking that the appeal court should declare the House of Assembly election for Nnewi North State Constituency held on the 9th day of March 2019, inconclusive.

Earlier last month, National And State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Anambra State, also affirmed the election of Hon. Nonso Okafor, who contested under the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The three-member panel led by Justice E. O. Haruna, assisted by Hon. Justice O. S. Olusnaya and Hon. Justice Destina O. Oko had in their judgment delivered on Sept. 23, dismissed the entire petition filed by Obinna Ngonadi and YPP for lacking merit and substance.

READ ALSO: OBINNA NGONADI GOING TO THE ELECTION TRIBUNAL WILL MARK THE END OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER – NCHEDO OBOR

Their reason was that the margin of win declared for the election is less than the number of registered voters in the polling units where the election did not hold or was cancelled, alleging that the margin of the lead of 848 votes as against 2784 registered voters is an injustice.

It will be recalled that on Sunday March 10th, the Returning Officer for Anambra State House of House of Assembly Election for Nnewi North Constituency, Dr. Alapuchukwumbuikem Eugene while announcing the result at the Nnewi North Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation center, said that Nonso Okafor of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 13,231 votes to emerge winner, defeating his closest rival, Obinna Ngonadi of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), who polled 12,383, while Hon. Benchuks Nwosu polled 2,452 votes to come a distant 3rd.

Details later…