The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, on Thursday, described her victory at the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Umuahia, Abia State, as “ordained by God.”
While dedicating the victory to her constituency, she said, “We are the true heroes of democracy even in the face of intimidation.”
The Minister said the outcome of her petition at the tribunal was “a natural result of the selfless work snatched away from her people through the backdoor.”
The PUNCH reported that the NAEPT in Umuahia, 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; not complying with the provisions of the Electoral Act, and for failing to prove that he won the election from the results declared, tabulated and presented before the court.
“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 tribunal declared, adding 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.”
Reacting further, Onyejeocha in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gabriel Emameh, described the outcome of her petition at the tribunal as natural.
She said, “God has proven to be the ruler of the universe and has shown love to whom He desired to bless even in the face of adversity and internal conspiracy. My victory came from God. My victory is a clear reminder of the confidence of the people in my capacity to continue to represent them in line with their hopes and aspirations.”
Onyejeocha commended the judiciary for rising up to the occasion, “despite countless attempts to intimidate and blackmail the last hope of the common man.”
The Minister thanked her supporters for keeping faith with 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.
