Labour Party Loses as Tribunal Gives Verdict on House of Reps Election in Abia

• The election tribunal has given its verdict in a suit seeking the nullification of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu's election
• The tribunal dismissed Labour Party's candidate in Bende Federal constituency, Frank Ifeanyi, for lacking merit
• Justice Sampson Gane-led panel ruled that Kanu has the right to change his name as no person or group has the monopoly of any name.

Umuahia, Abia state - The candidate of the Labour Party for the Bende Federal constituency in Abia state, Frank Ifeanyi, has lost his case challenging the victory of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia dismissed Ifeanyi’s petition for lacking in merit, The Punch reported.

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Tribunal dismisses matter challenging Kalu’s election

The three-man panel by Justice Sampson Gane ruled that Kanu has the right to change his name as no person or group has the monopoly of any name.

The tribunal gave the judgement on Tuesday, August 22.

The Justice Gane-led tribunal added that Kalu equally harmonised the names in his certificate with a deed poll which was published in the Federal Government’s official gazette.

According to the judge, it was Ifeanyi’s responsibility to prove that the certificate Kalu submitted to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not belong to him

However, the Labour Party candidate abandoned his case for the respondent to prove.

Kalu elected deputy speaker of House of Reps

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Hon. Benjamin Okezie has been declared the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly.

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The lawmaker representing Bende federal constituency in Abia State was unopposed for the coveted position.

His nomination was raised by the Lagos state lawmaker representing Ikorodu federal constituency Hon Babajimi Benson.

NYSC finally opens up on Ben Kalu's certificate

The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) has cleared the air on the controversy surrounding the NYSC certificate of Hon Benjamin Kalu, the honourable member-elect representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia state.

Kalu, who is the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Deputy Speaker seat of the House of Reps, was issued a certificate of confirmation by the NYSC.

The confirmation letter, as obtained by Legit.ng on Tuesday, May 23, was duly signed by the director-general of the NYSC, Ibrahim A Muhammad.

List of house of reps deputy speakers since 1999

The deputy speaker of Nigeria is the second-highest-ranking position in the country's House of Representatives after the speaker.

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The current deputy speaker is Benjamin (Ben) Okezie Kalu, who was elected by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

Here is the list of House of Reps Deputy Speakers since 1999

Source: Legit.ng