The Labour Party has kicked against the relocation of Ebonyi state Election Petitions Tribunal (EPT) from Abakaliki, the state capital to Abuja describing the development as worrisome and called for immediate reversal.
IgbereTV had reported that the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Wednesday directed the tribunal to relocate to Abuja immediately.
ALSO READ: JUST IN!!! Peter Obi Won 2416 Polling Units Result Altered In Gombe And 1568 In Kaduna
However, Ebonyi Chairman of Labour Party, Mr Godwin Jioke, expressed concern over the relocation order.
Jioke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Labour Party is not comfortable with the decision to relocate the Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja.
He consequently asked that the decision should be rescinded.
“We are not comfortable with the cessation of operation and decision of moving the EPT sitting to Abuja.
“The decision has to be reconsidered and allow matters to be handled in the state where elections took place,” Jioke said.
Mr Sylvester Amah, a Legal Practitioner, said there could be reasons for the relocation, ranging from insecurity, logistics and funding.
“The team of the tribunal could be looking for a neutral environment where political parties would not claim ownership of the process.
“Yes, I okayed the relocation and I believe it will allow all processes relating to the matters before the tribunal to gain equity, fair hearing and justice.
“It will be fair hearing and justice. It will also avoid laying claims, interference and perversion of justice,” Amah said.
