Representative Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi in Abia State, has disputed the ruling of the Umuahia tribunal that nullified his victory in the 2023 National Assembly elections.
When he has finished speaking with his legal counsel, Ogah swears he will appeal the verdict.
The legislator urged his supporters to maintain their composure in a statement he signed and made available to reporters, reassuring them that their choice would not be interfered with.
He declared, “The judge cannot declare a result presented by the petitioner as concrete against the result presented by INEC,” adding that his opponent, whom he knew did not win the poll.
With the light of hindsight, this peculiar outcome is not entirely unexpected because we had noticed the panel’s apparent tendencies towards compromise, which included discarding all established rules for election adjudication in favour of their own rules.
“In fact, it was clearly demonstrated at the adoption of the final addresses, when the current Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made remarks implying shady transactions with the Chairman of the Panel.
“I want to utilise this platform to urge the people who supported me to be composed and steadfast as I challenge the tribunal’s ruling, knowing that I can bring them the benefits of democracy.
According to the commission, my opponent received 8,752 votes while I received 11,769 votes overall. It is really surprising that, despite only having one witness called and presenting the Tribunal with a number of strange result sheets, the panel’s members acknowledged the same and dismissed the original copies of the result sheets that had been presented from proper custody.
“Let me be crystal clear: I am contesting the tribunal’s decision and will file an appeal due to the clear lack of justice, fairness, and objectivity.
“There is no question about the intent or desire of the voters who turned out in large numbers to support me, which is why I felt compelled to appeal the decision.
“One wonders why a minister who has been in office after suffering a dismal defeat in the National Assembly election on February 25th should still be making frantic attempts to overturn the will of the people as expressed in the electoral triumph of the Labour Party and its candidate.
But I’m sure that the appellate court’s justices would reject her desperate and cunning attempt to undermine the people’s will.
