Justice Garba Nabaruma said that Obi secured one-quarter of the votes in 15 of the 21 local government areas in the state while Ngige got one-quarter of valid votes in nine local governments. "Accordingly, the tribunal declares that the first respondent, Chris Ngige, was not duly declared elected or returned." However, the tribunal is a court of first instance, and its decision is still amenable to review by the appellate court.

Ngige described the judgment as "a miscarriage of justice" and said he will challenge the ruling. "We are dissatisfied with the judgment and my legal team has accordingly filed notice of appeal," he said. Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Culture Charles Amilo had said earlier that this was not an end-time issue. "Within the period the appeal lasts, the status quo is maintained. The governor remains the governor until proven otherwise by the appeal court," Friday's The Punch daily quoted Amilo as saying.

Ngige's aides accused President Olusegun Obasanjo of unduly influencing the rule. The ruling People's Democratic Party early this year expelled Ngige, and his estranged godfather and rival, Chris Uba from the party, following lingering political crisis there, which sparked violence last December.

Ngige fell out with Uba since he took office in 2003, and Amilo told reporters that some forces in the ruling party were preparing a candidate to replace him

Chris Uba( L ), Chris Ngige( R )