By Charles Igwe
Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has responded to the recent verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal in Awka concerning the Anambra Central Senatorial Election. The Tribunal handed down its judgment, dismissing the petitions brought against him by the NNPP and APGA, affirming his victory in the election.
In a statement released shortly after the verdict, Senator Umeh expressed his gratitude to God for the second favorable judgment in the various petitions filed against him. The NNPP’s petition had been dismissed earlier for lack of merit and abuse of court process, and now, the APGA’s petition met a similar fate.
Senator Umeh acknowledged that this particular case had generated significant attention and tension due to its high-profile nature. Despite the distractions and challenges, he maintained his composure, confident in the belief that he had won the election through a transparent and lawful process. In the election, Senator Umeh secured 103,608 votes, with the APGA candidate coming second with 69,702 votes, and the PDP candidate securing 49,532 votes.
Senator Umeh attributed his success to his strict adherence to due process and a profound respect for the law. He highlighted a significant legal victory when the Appeal Court set aside a High Court order against his nomination, just two days before the election.
The Senator praised the Tribunal’s judgment, noting that it was well-considered and based on the law. He believed there were no grounds for further complaints or disputes regarding the verdict.
Furthermore, Senator Umeh shared his optimism about the future, emphasizing the need to focus on addressing the challenges faced by his constituents and the country as a whole. He expressed his desire to serve his people diligently and confront their issues head-on.
Senator Umeh concluded by reflecting on the importance of democracy and the need for a transparent and peaceful electoral process. He applauded Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of his party, for his decision to appeal the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal’s verdict, stressing the importance of upholding democratic principles.
In his closing remarks, Senator Umeh called for a democracy where people have confidence in the transparency of the electoral process, even to the extent that election disputes do not always require judicial resolution. He emphasized that this was a work in progress for the betterment of Nigeria and its democracy.
