#2015InReview: 7 Senators That Were Sacked By Tribunals In 2015
The year 2015 has been quite an interesting year in the Nigerian political scene, with the general elections making it more sensitive.
Nigerians were served a dose of things the year would breed when the initially postponed presidential election was held and won by the then opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) which ushered in President Muhammadu Buhari.
And almost after his assumption of office, there were series of cases which were lost and won by Nigerian lawmakers.
Naij.com has compiled seven of such cases and they are presented thus:
1. David Mark (Benue South senatorial district)
Former Senate President, David Mark
The Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, annulled the election of the immediate past Senate President, Senator David Mark.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in the Benue South senatorial district within 90 days.
Mark’s victory at the March 28, 2015 National Assembly elections, was challenged by Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who petitioned the Benue state Legislative Houses elections tribunal asking for the cancellation of the election and an order detailing INEC to conduct fresh election in the district.
2. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South Senatorial District)
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe
His election was nullified by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal. The tribunal in its ruling ordered a rerun in two Local Governments where elections were not held.
READ ALSO: Senator Akpabio’s Election Upheld By Appeal Court
3. Senator Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East District)
Senator Gilbert Nnaji
Nnaji’s victory was nullified by the National Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Enugu state.
The tribunal in its judgement ruled that Nnaji was not the duly elected candidate in the election.
The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the Certificate of Return to former Governor of the state, Chimaroke Nnamani, who contested on the platform of the People for Democratic Change (PDC)
4. Senator Osinakachukwu Idoezu (Rivers South West Senatorial District)
Senator Osinaka Ideozu
The Rivers Election Petition tribunal appeal court sitting in Abuja nullified the election of Senator Osinaka Ideozu of the PDP.
The court ordered a re-run election to be conducted within 90 days of the ruling. Otelemaba Dan Amachree of the APC had challenged the lower court tribunal judgement which gave victory to Senator Osinaka Ideozu.
5. Senator Olaka Nwogu (Rivers South East Senatorial District)
Senator Olaka Nwogu
The Court of Appeal in Abuja invalidated the election of Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Rivers State South East Senatorial District.
The ruling followed a petition filed by Magnus Abe, the contestant of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court directed the electoral commission to conduct a fresh election in the Senatorial District within 60 days.
6. Senator George Sekibo (Rivers East Senatorial District)
Senator George Sekibo
An Appeal court Tribunal sitting in Abuja sacked the PDP senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District in Rivers state.
Senator Sekibo’s victory suffered a major setback following a petition by Chief Andrew Uchendu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The court ruled that elections did not hold in the affected areas and ordered for fresh elections to be conducted within 90days.
7. Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central Senatorial District)
READ ALSO: #2015InReview: 16 Events That Shook Nigeria In 2015
Mrs Uche Ekwunife, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator was sacked by a Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu state.
This development came following an appeal filed by Victor Umeh a former chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The judgement read by Justice Datijo Yahaya revealed that the election of Mrs Ekwunife on March 28, 2015 did not meet the prescription of the electoral act and ordered a rerun in the Anambra Central Senatorial District within 90 days.
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