A member of the House of Representatives, Amobi Ogah, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, over allegations of forging election results from the 2023 general elections.
In a letter dated April 14 and addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Ogah, who represents the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, accused Onyejeocha of submitting falsified polling unit results to the Election Petition Tribunal in a bid to overturn his victory.
Ogah claims the minister presented results from 63 polling units that appeared to carry INEC certification but were later disowned by the commission’s ICT Unit in Abuja. He alleged the documents were forged to undermine his legitimacy as the duly elected representative.
Both Ogah and Onyejeocha reportedly submitted conflicting sets of results at the tribunal. While the documents were certified by the Tribunal Registry, the Court of Appeal ruled that the ones presented by Onyejeocha were not authentic INEC materials.
Ogah, who chairs the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control, said he is willing to submit certified tribunal records to aid INEC’s investigation. He urged the commission to act swiftly, warning that inaction could prompt him to seek a court order to compel INEC to investigate.
He further warned that he may escalate the matter publicly and to other authorities if necessary, insisting that prosecuting the minister would help protect the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Ogah concluded by expressing confidence that INEC would uphold its responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability.
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