Member representing Awgu/Aninri/Oji-River federal constituency, Hon. Chijioke Okereke has rejected the Election Tribunal’s ruling which declared Anayo Onwuegbu as the winner of the February 25 House of Representatives poll.
Hon. Okereke who serves as the incumbent deputy
Chairman, House Committee on Science Research Institutions, in a statement made available to Daily Gazette described the ruling as ‘bizarre’.
The statement reads in part;
“I want to address the recent judgment delivered by the election petition tribunal sitting in Enugu today regarding the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party and its House of Representatives candidate, Engr. Bedford Anayo Onwuegbu.”
“While I respect the tribunal’s decision and the due process of our legal system, I must express my profound disappointment with the grounds and outcome.”
“As I mentioned in my previous speeches, our campaign and the subsequent election were driven by a commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and need-driven governance, as outlined in my manifesto.”
“The people of this constituency placed their trust in me, and I take that trust very seriously. I firmly believe that we received a strong mandate from the electorate to represent their interests and work towards their betterment.”
“Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I announce our decision to pursue the protection of the people’s mandate through the APPEAL COURT immediately.”
“We believe that the merits of our case warrants a second look and we are determined to exhaust all legal avenues to ensure that the voice of the people is heard and their mandate is upheld.”
“Our democracy is built upon the principle of the people’s right to choose their representatives, and it is our duty to safeguard and protect that right.”
“We are not alone in this pursuit; we have the support and prayers of countless constituents who believe in the vision we presented during the campaign.”
“I want to assure you all that we will approach the appeal process with the utmost respect for the rule of law and with unwavering determination.”
“We will continue to advocate for the principles of inclusive, sustainable, and need-driven governance that we hold dear. Our resolve to serve the best interests of this constituency remains unshaken.”
“I call upon our supporters and well-wishers to remain steadfast and patient during this legal process. I also encourage all stakeholders, including our opponents, to respect the legal proceedings and uphold the values of our democratic system.”
“In closing, let me reaffirm our commitment to the people of this constituency. We are determined to see this through to the end, not just for ourselves but for the sake of every citizen who placed their trust in us.”
“Together, we will continue to strive for a brighter and more prosperous future for our constituency.”
