A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Amobi Ogah, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to open a formal investigation into the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, over alleged forgery of polling unit results during the 2023 general elections.
In a letter dated April 14, 2025, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Ogah accused the minister of submitting falsified election results at the Election Petition Tribunal in an attempt to overturn the outcome of the poll in the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.
According to Ogah, Onyejeocha submitted results from 63 polling units, which appeared to carry INEC’s official certification but were later disowned by the commission’s ICT Unit in Abuja. He alleged that the documents were forged to undermine the credibility of the election that declared him the duly elected representative.
“These documents were forged to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election that returned me as the duly elected representative,” Ogah stated.
Ogah, who chairs the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control, said both he and the minister presented different sets of election results before the tribunal. While both documents had been certified by the Tribunal Registry, he noted that the Court of Appeal ultimately ruled in his favour, declaring that the results submitted by Onyejeocha were not authentic INEC documents.
He pledged his willingness to assist the commission in its investigation by submitting certified copies of the tribunal’s proceedings and judgments.
“I am prepared to submit certified copies of the tribunal’s proceedings and judgments to INEC to aid its investigation,” he wrote.
Ogah further urged INEC to treat the matter with urgency, warning that failure to act might compel him to approach the courts for a mandamus order to force the commission into action.
“If INEC fails to act, I may be forced to seek legal redress through a mandamus order compelling it to act,” he warned.
The lawmaker also threatened to escalate the matter to the public and relevant authorities if necessary, insisting that only a thorough and transparent investigation would uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
“We must safeguard the integrity of our elections. The minister must be investigated and prosecuted if found guilty,” he declared.
Ogah concluded by urging the electoral commission to fulfil its constitutional mandate and ensure accountability in the electoral system.
“I hope that INEC will rise to the occasion and ensure accountability in line with its mandate,” he stated.
