The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State have expressed mixed feelings over the decision of the president of the Appeal Court, Monica Mensem, to relocate the Ebonyi State Election Petitions Tribunal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP in Abakaliki on the development, the deputy director of the Anyichuks Campaign Council of the PDP, Mr Moses Idika, said only the Court of Appeal knows the reason for doing so.
“I think only the Court of Appeal knows why it is relocating the panel to Abuja. It’s strictly within their powers to determine where best will serve the interest of justice for all the parties concerned. The PDP is comfortable with the decision of the Court of Appeal, provided it serves the interest of justice. All parties have advanced their cases and evidences,” he said.
The state publicity secretary of APGA, Hon Nwanchor Chibuike, said the party received the news with mixed feelings and expressed dissatisfaction with the recent developments, adding that the reason for such a move was undisclosed by the secretary of the tribunal, Nyior Henry Sekulla.
Nwancho said the directive has forced the shutdown of the election petition tribunal office at the Ebonyi State Judiciary Headquarters in Abakaliki and called on their Lordships to be impartial and unbiased in the discharge of their duties.
“It is pertinent to urge them to base their decision solely on the preponderance or otherwise of the evidence before it. My lords should also ensure that due process is followed and that all parties involved are given a fair hearing as the decision would help in restoring faith in the electoral process and the country in general.
“As we also note that INEC must be held to a high standard of transparency, fairness, and compliance with its rules and guidelines. The election tribunal judges must ensure that INEC’s actions are scrutinized properly and that they are held accountable for any failures or shortcomings in their duties.
“The outcome of the election tribunal process will have a significant impact on the country’s national pride and its reputation as a leading democracy in Africa. It is therefore essential that my lords approach your task as a divine assignment to set things right and restore faith in the electoral process,” he said.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the directive was given by the president of Court of Appeal, Monica Mensem while the secretary of the tribunal, Nyior Henry Sekulla announced the decision in Abakaliki yesterday.
He said that following the directive, the election petition tribunal office at the Ebonyi State Judiciary Headquarters in Abakaliki has shut down adding that all processes relating to matters before the tribunal will continue at Abuja.
“The Justice Monica Dongban Mensem, President Court of Appeal – HPCA has through the deputy chief registrar, Election Petition Tribunal (EPT) Headquarters Abuja, directed the relocation of EPT sitting here to FCT Abuja.
“Therefore, in compliance with the HPCA directives, the petitioners, counsel to parties and general public is hereby informed via this medium that, the EPT sitting here in Abakaliki thereby cease to operate in Abakaliki as at April 26, 23; filings of processes, taking of proceedings etc. shall henceforth continue at Abuja,” he said.
On the reason for the decision to move the tribunal to Abuja, Mr Henry said it is not within his powers to speak on the reasons but however noted that the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal and that of another state is also affected.
