HIGH COURT TO HEAR OBONGI LCV PETITION ELECTION ON SEPTEMBER 23
The embattled Obongi district chairman Hon. Abibu Buga Khemis Awadi, during a media interview shortly after the pretrial at Arua high court on Thursday – Photo by Morish Dramadri
By Morish Dramadri
Arua city
The High Court sitting in Arua City has set September 23, 2026, for the commencement of the hearing of a petition challenging the outcome of the January 22, 2026 Local Council Five (LC5) chairperson election in Obongi District.
The petition was filed by former contestant Akuma Francis Agandru against the incumbent Obongi District LC5 Chairperson, Abibu Buga Khemis Awadi, who was declared the winner of the election.
In Election Petition Case No. HCT-08-CV-EP-0008-2026, petitioner Akuma Francis Agandru, represented by his legal representative Counsel Jimmy Madira, is challenging the declaration of Abibu Buga Khemis Awadi as the winner.
According to the results being challenged, Awadi polled 5,984 votes, while Agandru obtained 5,467 votes.
Akuma Francis Agandru the former Obongi district LCV contestant and the petitioner at Arua high court after the pretrial on Thursday- Photo by Morish Dramadri
During the pre-trial proceedings presided over by High Court Judge Lady Justice Celia Nagawa, the petitioner raised several grounds challenging the validity of the election.
Through his lawyer, Agandru alleged that Awadi was illegally nominated, citing concerns relating to his academic qualifications and identification documents.
The petitioner also alleges that the election was marred by irregularities in the counting and tallying of votes, particularly at several polling stations, including Ndiri Ndiri Market, Okuni East, Teremo and Yenga Lubujo polling stations, Itipa Market, Hidiaya Mosque, and Eilokata polling station.
However, counsel for the first respondent disputed the petitioner’s claims regarding Awadi’s qualifications, arguing that the issue had previously been adjudicated by the High Court in an election petition arising from the 2021 elections.
The respondent’s legal team also sought additional time to file supplementary affidavits in response to the petition.
Following the pre-trial proceedings, Lady Justice Celia Nagawa directed that the substantive hearing of the petition will commence on September 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Speaking to the media after the pre-trial session, Obongi District Chairperson Abibu Buga Khemis Awadi said he was confident in his legal team’s handling of the matter and expressed hope that the court would rule in his favour.
“The judgement is going to be done but according to what I have seen it will be done in my favour, my lawyer is there my party is there the party will defend me in everything,” said Hon. Abibu.
Meanwhile, petitioner Akuma Francis Agandru said he was confident in the evidence contained in the affidavits filed before court and called for a fair determination of the petition based on the evidence and the law.
“There is nothing that torments me im also ready and fully prepared all I wish is justice,” said Akuma.
Adebasiku joel
23 September 2026 at 10:03 PM
When we look at the reality akuma is the winner Basing on what happened that day.
So the issue of hoping for the party has led to poor leadership.
Obongi needs a better leaders not my party issue.