KEKERE-EKUN JSC (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The 1st appellant and the 1st respondent were candidates of the 2nd appellant (APC) and the 2nd respondent (PDP) respectively in the Governorship election conducted in Imo State on 8 March 2019 along with 68 other candidates. The 1st respondent was returned as the winner of the election. The 1st appellant was dissatisfied with the return of the 1st respondent and filed a petition challenging the said return on two grounds:
(a) The 1st respondent was not validly elected by majority of lawful votes cast and
(b) The declaration and return of the 1st respondent is invalid by reason of non- compliance with the Electoral Act.
He sought several reliefs including the nullification of the 1st respondent’s return and the declaration of the 1st appellant as the winner of the said election. It was the appellant’s contention, inter alia, that election held in 27 Local Governments Area, 305 electoral wards and 3,523 polling units. That the 3rd respond…