From Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia

Abia North rerun Election Petition Tribunal has commenced sitting.

The rerun poll held on March 5..

The tribunal, which will conduct its business at the Abia State High Court 3 already has three petitions including one from former governor of Abia State and Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) candidate, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

The petition was filed against the declaration of Mao Ohuabunwa  of  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as winner of the rerun.

Also,  two state constituency petitions from Aba North against the declaration of Blessing Nwagba of the PDP was filed at the tribunal.

Speaking at the High Court premises yesterday, Kalu’s counsel, Prefect Okorie said the petitioner is asking the tribunal to declare Kalu winner of the rerun, having scored majority of the lawful votes cast.

He said Kalu is asking that the votes credited to the 1st Respondent are unlawful votes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should expunge them and give to the rightful owner.”

Okorie said further that the respondent’s counsel filed a motion to set aside the service affected by the bailiff of the tribunal who had reported that she was attacked as she went to deliver the notice.

Meanwhile, Abia North Youth for Positive Change, has called on Kalu not to relent in his effort to recover the mandate freely given to him, stating that  they are solidly behind him.

The group, led by one Emeka Adile, was at the court premises with his  members and other  supporters of Kalu, who  trooped to the court in their numbers .

“We will do everything within the ambit of the law to support him in the bid to recover the stolen mandate of people of Abia North,” they pledged.

Adile said their efforts to support Kalu worth the while, as it would restore the confidence of the people in the electoral process and democratic governance of the state.

According to him, OUK remains the voice of the voiceless and hope of common Nigerians.

Also speaking, Emeka Kalu, a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner and former executive chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area, said he left his busy chamber to attend the session in Umuahia as a show of solidarity for Kalu, who he described as the eye of the Igbo people.

Without OUK we don’t have eyes as Igbo people. He personifies our hope. You can see the mammoth crowd that came here because of him,” adding, that PDP people robbed him of victory.”