The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Samson Paul-Gang, issued a unanimous decision on Tuesday, dismissing the petitions of Mao Ohuabunwa from the People's Democratic Party and Nnamdi Iro-Orji from the Labour Party, citing a lack of merit.
In upholding Senator Kalu's victory under the All Progressives Congress (APC), the court declared that his election adhered to the Electoral Act's provisions. Furthermore, the tribunal judges refuted the arguments put forth by the petitioners, claiming that the election did not occur in more than 120 polling units, primarily in Ohafia and Arochukwu Local Government Areas of the zone.
Both Iro-Orji and Ohuabunwa, who placed second and third, respectively, in separate suits, had requested that the court overturn the election of the former Abia Governor, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging irregularities.
The tribunal also dismissed the PDP and Labour Party's contention that the total number of registered voters in the purportedly affected polling units exceeded the margin of victory between Kalu and the first and second runners-up.
Furthermore, the court validated Kalu's eligibility to contest the election, citing that his previous trial and conviction had been overturned by the Supreme Court. The tribunal judges also resolved two other matters brought forth by the Labour Party against Kalu's election, ultimately declaring Kalu as the duly elected Senator of Abia North.
Kalu, who presently chairs the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, was officially declared the winner by INEC in the fiercely contested February 25th Senatorial polls, securing 30,805 votes. This victory surpassed the tallies of Iro-Orji and Ohuabunwa, who received 27,540 and 15,175 votes, respectively.
