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.