Ebonyi Indigenes Urge Presidential Election Tribunal To Remain Impartial

Ebonyi State indigenes under the auspices of Odinmma Ndi Ebonyi has appealed to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) to uphold the law and rely on substantial and valid evidence in its proceedings.

The group specifically raised concerns over the alleged conspiracy and forgery of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) documents related to the Presidential and National Assembly Election held on February 25, 2023, in the Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday the Convener of Odinmma Ndi Ebonyi, Dr. Laz Ude Eze, voiced their concerns and shed light on a petition filed by aggrieved parties.

Eze said the petition revealed suspicions of some groups within the INEC headquarters involved in the forgery of BVAS (Biometric Voter Authentication System) reports and other crucial documents, which could potentially undermine the will of Nigerian voters.

He urged the law enforcement agencies to fulfill its promise by promptly establishing a specialised forensic team to thoroughly investigate the serious allegations.

He said if proven true, the perpetrators of these acts should face the full force of the law, they emphasised.

Eze called on the chairman of INEC to ensure the integrity of the commission is upheld.

He also appealed to all courts handling election petitions, particularly those related to Ebonyi State, to remain vigilant and avoid being misled or influenced by unscrupulous politicians.

Eze stressed the importance of adhering to the rule of law and delivering justice based on verifiable and valid evidence.

He also called on the media, civil society organisations, and the general public to actively support Nigerian democracy by urging INEC, the police, and the judiciary—the pillar of justice for ordinary citizens—to prioritise the pursuit of truth and fairness in the electoral process.