The election petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka, Anambra State capital, on Friday, affirmed the victory of the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Afam Ogene.
Ogene, who contested the Ogbaru Federal Constituency election in Anambra State under the Labour Party was affirmed against the petition of the People’s Democratic Party candidate, PDP, Chukwuka Onyema, who was defeated at the polls.
He described the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal verdict as a “true validation of the will of the people and the grace of God”.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Ogene the winner of the election with 10,851 votes of the total votes cast, followed by the candidate of PDP who polled 10,619 votes, while the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Arinze Awogu, came third with 10,155 votes after a supplementary election in the constituency on April 15.
However Onyema, who held three tenures of office, had proceeded to the tribunal to challenge Ogene’s victory.
The election in Ogbaru Federal Constituency was declared inconclusive by the INEC, after the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.
Speaking after the judgement, Ogene expressed gratitude to God for the victory and his grace to represent his constituents at the House of Representatives.
He also thanked the Ogbaru people for their selfless support, encouragement, and prayers, adding that the victory would further energise him to continue to provide quality representation for the people.
He extended hands of fellowship to the PDP candidate, and urged him to avoid the temptation of further judicial brickbats.
