It will be noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on February 27, declared Labour Party's Darlington Gideon Nwokocha the winner with 92116 votes against PDP's Akobundu who scored 41447 votes.

Others who filed are Chief Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo of the All Progressives Congress (APC-incumbent at the time) and Chief Ahamdi Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who scored 7997 and 4637 votes respectively.

Dissatisfied with the results, Akobundu, a retired army colonel & ex-Minister of Defence (State) under the Jonathan administration alongside the PDP challenged the declaration and return of Nwokocha (ex-member representing Isiala-Ngwa North & South Federal Constituency) as winner.

On September 11, the three dismissed the suit for lacking in merit and upheld the Senate Minority Whip, Nwokocha as duly elected.

The PDP & Akobundu appealed to the final Court in these matters who upheld the arguments and appeal, affirming Akobundu as duly elected and returned.

The Appeal Court ordered the INEC to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Nwokocha and issue the same to Akobundu.