The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has nullified the election of James Manager, the senator representing Delta South Senatorial District.
Justice C.O. Onyeabo who presided over the Tribunal gave the ruling on Saturday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Manager of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winner of the election last February but Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of the state and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, challenged his victory. His counsel, Counsel, Thomson Okpoko, argued before the tribunal that the February 23, 2019 election in Delta South was marred by massive rigging. He prayed the panel to cancel the election and order a fresh election.
Justice Onyeabo granted his prayer and asked INEC to conduct a fresh election within 90 days.
The judge also ordered INEC to withdraw certificate of return issued to Manager, saying that he could not defend the case of over voting and irregularities preferred against them.
Larry Selekeowei, SAN, counsel for Manager, said he would study and appeal the ruling.