By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The Anambra State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting has affirmed the election of Hon. Victor Afam Ogene as the winner of the 2023 general election in the Ogbaru federal constituency of the state.
The judgment of the three-man panel headed by Justice S. Y. Abubakar unanimously affirmed Hon. Ogene, who is also the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, as the authentic winner of the election.
Reacting, Hon. Ogene described his victory at the tribunal as,” a validation of the will of the people, the grace of God.”
One of the three-man panel, Justice B. M. Kucheri, who read the judgment on behalf of others declared that the petition brought by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Hon. Chukwuka Onyema lacked merit.
“This petition is lacking in merit and is accordingly dismissed. The election of Hon. Victor Afam Ogene is hereby affirmed by this tribunal,” Justice Kucheri declared.
Earlier, while reviewing the petition, the tribunal judges had dismissed Onyema’s claim that elections were not held in seven polling units of the federal constituency, saying that he didn’t have substantial evidence to prove his claims.
The tribunal further dismissed the petitioner’s claim that Hon . Ogene was not a bona fide member of the Labour Party, under which platform he won the election as at the time he was nominated as the candidate of the party.
Hon. Ogene was declared winner of the Ogbari federal constituency election by the Returning Officer, Dr. Kingsley Uboji of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, after the April 15th 2023 Supplementary election which was conducted following the declaration of the Federal constituency polls inconclusive by the INEC.
An elated Ogene expressed gratitude to God for the victory and grace to represent his constituents at the House of Representatives.
Hon. Ogene said, “I want to especially appreciate God for His faithfulness in always ensuring that the light which He lit for the people would never be extinguished by the shenanigans of those who seek to exalt themselves against His will and His divine agenda for ndi Ogbahu.”
“I also want to sincerely appreciate the entire Ogbahu people, irrespective of political or social divides, for their steadfastness in working and praying for the good of Ogbahu. We are remarkably a peaceful people, and should not allow politics or personal interest of the political class or politically exposed people to divide or destroy us.
“Ogbaru Federal Constituency is not a private estate of anyone or group of individuals. Leadership positions are entrusted to individuals at a time, to work for, and protect the interest of the people. It should never be a do-or-die affair, because it is only God that determines who should lead the people at any given time.
“I have won elections in the past. And I lost the election in 2015 as an incumbent representative. But I just moved on and waited for God’s own time. I didn’t take my opponent to the court, because I considered that doing so would hurt the interest of Ogbaru as tribunal distractions would impact adversely on the quality of representation that the people deserve.”
“It is in this light that I pay glowing tribute to my brother and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA candidate in the election, Comrade Arinze Awogu, for electing to align with the people’s will, by refusing to go to the Tribunal.”
“Ogbaru deserves the best and should demand the best, but such legitimate aspiration would be jeopardised, should we continue to allow politics of acrimony to erode our oneness and the political space.*
“Once again, I congratulate the good people of Ogbaru, because, with this vital victory, we shall now concentrate fully on the service of the people, in the true sense of representative democracy. I also say kudos to the judiciary, whose judgement remarkably aligns with the will of the Ogbaru electorate.”
