The Ebonyi state All Progressive Party (APC) Candidate for Ikwo/ Ezza South Federal Constituency, Chief Chinedu Ogah, has pledged to assist his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Contender, Chief Lazarus Ogbee recoup his electoral expenses.
The appeal court sitting in Enugu on Friday, upheld the election petition tribunal’s verdict declaring Ogah as the rightful winner of the seat, occupied by Ogbee since June 2019.
Ogah had approached the tribunal to challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration of Ogbee as the winner of the Feb.23, 2019 national assembly polls, with the tribunal overturning Ogbee’s declaration.
Ogah who is still reveling in the appeal court’s verdict, said in Abakaliki that despite Ogbee being older than him, he groomed Ogbee politically.
“I will assist him recoup most of the money he spent in the election as I know it will be difficult for him presently.
“I did not see the contest as a fight because I made him Coordinator of a Local Government Area (LGA) Development Centre and a Council Chairman.
“The victory has only proven my integrity and ‘grassroot-groundedness’ while placing me in the history books as the first Ebonyi opposition politician to overturn a judgment in favour of an incumbent in both the tribunal and appeal court.
“I am also the only member of the opposition party presently occupying an elective position both at the national and state levels and I give God glory over all these.
The foremost youth leader in Ebonyi said the victory would assist in repositioning the party in the state and rid it of undesirable elements such as sabotuers.
“I will foremostly ensure that all federal government and related interventions due to my constituency and the entire state get to the people.
“I will also revitalise youth entrepreneurship and will not work with anybody that is not skilled but just searching for political appointment.
“The youths would be enlightened on effective management of resources, to make them not spend above their means but plan sustainably for their future.
Ogah, a former PDP member, was a political gladiator in the immediate-past administration of Chief Marin Elechi and was influential in most policies and decisions of the government.
He however defected to the APC in 2015 alongside Elechi after incumbent Governor David Umahi won the PDP’s gubernatorial primaries and the eventual election to the disapproval of Elechi.
