Onyejeocha loses as a’court affirms LP’s Ogah as winner of Abia rep seat

 




The court of appeal sitting in Lagos has affirmed the
election of Amobi Ogah of the Labour Party (LP) as lawmaker representing
Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency in Abia state.



 



The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had
declared Ogah as the winner of the election with a total of 11,769 votes.
Nkiruka Onyejeocha of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with
8,752 votes.



 



Dissatisfied with the result, Onyejeocha, a former member of
the lower legislative chamber and now minister of state for labour, filed a
petition before the election petition tribunal, seeking the nullification of
Ogah’s election.



 



In September, the tribunal sacked Ogah and declared
Onyejeocha the winner of the federal constituency election.



 





Ogah subsequently appealed the verdict asking the appeal
court to uphold his election.



 



On Friday, the appellate court overturned the tribunal’s
decision.



 



The court of appeal, in setting aside the judgment of the
lower court, held that Ogah’s petition had merit.