Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, Afam Ogene, says his recent victory at the Appeal Court will make him more committed to his legislative functions.

Mr Ogene said this in an interview with journalists in Awka on Monday, saying a mega-qualitative legislative business to transform his Ogbaru Federal Constituency and Nigeria at large will be his mission.

He said that a tribunal that sat in Awka on Friday, October 20, affirmed his victory as the Labour Party candidate against the petition of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chukwuka Onyema.

Mr Ogene also said that an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja dismissed the appeal brought before it by the PDP candidate in Ogbaru Federal Constituency as lacking in merit.

The election in Ogbaru Federal Constituency was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections. As a result, a rerun election was held in the constituency on April 15.

Mr Ogene said, “Onyema was defeated at the polls according to the INEC results released on April 15, 2023, after a supplementary election in the constituency.

“INEC records indicated that the LP candidate scored 10,851 votes of the total votes cast, followed by the candidate of the PDP, who polled 10,619 votes, while the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Arinze Awogu, came in third with 10,155 votes.

“Unsatisfied with the result, Mr Onyema, who held three tenures of office, proceeded to the tribunal to challenge my victory.

“With this appeal court verdict, all legal battles are now over, and I wish to settle down for robust legislative business for the next four years,” Mr Ogene said.

He attributed the victory to the grace and mercy of God, which, he said, had paved the way for him right from the day he decided to participate in the February 25 general elections.

“The journey has been both emotionally and physically draining, but God sustained me and has proven that only He determines who should lead a people at any given time,” he said.

Mr Ogene assured never to misuse God’s given grace and opportunity to serve, indicating that he will continue to serve with dignity, honour and the utmost responsibility.

He described the victory as a plus for the judiciary, Nigeria and especially for the good people of Ogbaru Federal Constituency, who willingly and overwhelmingly gave him their mandate to represent them.

“I give all glory to God for these resounding victories. Now is the time to downplay the politics of bitterness and get to work in the service of my people and Nigeria in general.

“By the help of God, Ogbaru Federal Constituency will never regret trusting me with their votes,” he said.

Mr Ogene had his first attempt at the federal legislative chambers from 2011 to 2015 under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Mr Ogene recontested the seat in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) but lost to the PDP candidate, and in 2023 he did a repeat.

(NAN)