The member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Rev. (Hon) Francis Ejiroghene Waive has said that the grounds for his disqualification as a candidate in the last election by the tribunal is not known to Nigerian law.Â
The lawmaker in a signed statement disclosed that the non publication of his academic qualification which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on its portal is not a ground for disqualification of a candidate, and as such, is alien to Nigerian law.
Hon. Waive of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the February 25 election by INEC, having scored the highest number of valid votes cast.
However, the Delta State and National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba on Monday declared Solomon Ahwinahwi of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the election.
Reacting to the tribunal judgment, Hon. Waive disclosed that he fulfilled all the requirements of INEC and the law as expected of him and provided documented evidence to the tribunal, adding that INEC’s act of omission which he wrote to them should not be a ground for his disqualification.
The lawmaker rejected the tribunal’s judgment adding that he has instructed his legal team to study the judgment and immediately appeal it. He also called his supporters and party faithful to remain calm and law-abiding as he goes on appeal to test the judgment.
