Enugu State Governor Disputes Allegations, Defends Credentials in Election Tribunal

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Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has vehemently challenged allegations surrounding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, over-voting, and falsification of results during the state’s governorship election.

In the ongoing court proceedings, Mbah, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, alongside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), opposed an application by the petitioners to amend their prayer, seeking to be declared winners of the Rivers State governorship election instead of the Enugu gubernatorial election.

In the final written address presented before the Justice M.K. Akano-led tribunal, Mbah’s legal team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, scrutinized the petitioner’s reliance on the NYSC discharge certificate issue, deeming it inconsequential.

They emphasized that the NYSC certificate is not a requirement for contesting the position of governor, as established in the Constitution. Citing legal precedent, they underscored that the lack of reference to the NYSC certificate in Mbah’s affidavit further undermines the forgery allegation.

Addressing the allegations of falsification of results, Mbah’s lawyers pointed out that the petitioners only presented witnesses for a fraction of the claimed polling units and over-voting cases. They argued that the allegations lacked comprehensive substantiation and contradicted the presented evidence.

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Mbah’s defense hinged on the admission by NYSC witnesses that the Governor’s service was appropriately managed, including his participation in the Law School program. Given this compliance, his legal team argued that the issuance of a certificate was obligatory and dismissed the notion of forgery.

As the court proceedings unfolded, the final addresses of both the petitioners and respondents were presented before the Justice Murayo Akano-tribunal. The tribunal, after considering these arguments, has reserved judgment, with the announcement of the judgment date to be communicated to all relevant parties.