By joshua 
Tribunal affirms Professor Ani as winner of Ebonyi South Senatorial Bye Election
—Dismisses LP, PDP Petitions
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
The election petition tribunal sitting in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Capital has affirmed Professor Anthony Okorie Ani as the authentic winner of Ebonyi South Senatorial bye election.
The case, registered under suit number EPT/EB/SEN/02/2024, saw LP candidate Linus Okorie challenging the outcome of the 2024 senatorial bye election, alleging electoral irregularities and accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of rigging the election.
In a similar petition, case number EPT/EB/SEN/01/2024, filed by PDP candidate Joseph Onu Silas, against the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC), Senator Anthony Okorie Ani and two others.
Delivering the judgement, the tribunal panel dismissed the petitions filed by the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Barrister Silas Joseph Onu.
The tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to substantiate their allegations of malpractices and irregularities against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and, therefore, dismissed their petitions for lack of merit while upholding the victory of Senator Professor Okorie Ani.
Reacting to the judgement, counsel to one of the petitioners Chukwunonso Onwe, said they would review the judgement before deciding on their next steps.
According to him “we have keenly listened to the judgement delivered and we have informed the tribunal that we need a copy of same, so that we can redigest same and know what to do next” he said
The Counsel to Senator Ani, Roy Umahi Nweze, expressed satisfaction with the tribunal’s judgement, noting that justice had been served.
He acknowledged that the petitioners have right to appeal the judgement. “They can go and appeal anyway they are free. The appeal too will suffer what the petition had suffered today, it is their constitutional right they are free and we will be happy if they do, because it will make us to shine the more.” He stated.
The Chairman-elect, Onicha Local Government Area, Ogboffia Ikechukwu, expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the judgement, describing it as a victory for all the people of Ebonyi South Senatorial zone.
He hinted that he would move to reconcile differences within the political landscape once he assumes office.
The Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, Hon. Chidiebere Uzor also hailed tribunal’s decision. “I’m very happy concerning today’s judgement , someone who does not even have up to 700 voters is going to court to do what, among 35,000 votes that were voted in favour of our senator. My advice to Linus Okorie is that fighting a brother is not a solution , he should meet him so that they will work together and deliver on the mandate”
Meanwhile, the ruling was met with jubilation by supporters of Senator Ani.