The Minister of States, Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has attributed her victory at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, as a victory “ordained by God”.
She has also dedicated it to the people of her constituency, who she said “are the true heroes of democracy even in the face of intimidation.
The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State, Wednesday nullified the election of Amaobi Ogah of the Labour Party, representing Isiukwuato Umunneochi Federal Constituency.
The three-member panel of the tribunal sacked Ogah on two grounds. One, that Ogah did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Secondly, that he failed to prove that he won the election from the results declared and what was tabulated and presented before the court.
The tribunal said that “how a candidate is sponsored by a political party is both a pre and post-election matter, there is no evidence of giving 21 days’ notice to INEC by the respondent before conducting their primary election.
The court also noted that there was no date of primaries placed before it, neither was there evidence of primaries conducted by the 3rd respondent.
On the results declared by INEC, the tribunal said: “We have tabulated and found out that the results computed by the petitioner are correct and the results computed by the 1st respondent are dis-countenanced”.
The minister, in a statement issued Wednesday by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Emameh Gabriel, described the outcome of her petition at the tribunal as a natural result of the selfless work snatched away from her people through the backdoor.
She said, “Today God has proven to be the ruler of the universe and has shown love to who He desired to bless even in the face of adversity and internal conspiracy.
The minister noted that the victory was a clear reminder of the confidence of the people in her capacity to continue to represent them in line with their hope and aspirations.
Onyejeocha commended the judiciary for rising up to the occasion despite countless attempt to intimidate and blackmail the noble body.
Finally, she thanked her supporters for keeping faith in her and promised to remain a good servant to the people.
“Today is theirs to celebrate and I thank God Almighty for everything He has done and for leading me through this path all these years”, she said.