ASABA/Nigeria: Bar Bridget Anyafulu, the lawmaker representing Oshimili South Constituency in the Delta House of Assembly, has expressed her gratitude to the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba for upholding her victory in the March 18 State Assembly election.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that in an interview with newsmen immediately after the tribunal’s verdict on Saturday in Asaba, Anyafulu remarked, “The verdict was a call to quality representation.”
She commended the Tribunal for its thorough job, emphasizing that it reaffirmed the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Anyafulu acknowledged the role of divine intervention in her triumph and pledged to channel her energy towards positively impacting the lives of her constituents.
She stated, “It’s time to bring the desired change to the Oshimili South Constituency. This I will do by ensuring quality representation of my constituents who reposed a high level of confidence in me during the March 18 polls.”
“The petition was a huge distraction, but I am glad that the coast is now clear for me to begin to dialogue with my people on the way forward.”
The petition in question was brought before the Tribunal by Mr. Soalueze Eluaka of the All Progressive Congress (APC), challenging Anyafulu’s victory in the March 18, 2023 State House of Assembly election.
However, the Tribunal, led by Justice Catherine Ogunsola, dismissed the case, citing a lack of merit and the petitioner’s failure to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. Furthermore, the Tribunal noted that the petitioner’s evidence was not admissible in law, as the petitioner was the respondent’s brother and the election essentially became a family contest.
Anyafulu assured the people of Oshimili South that she would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to address the challenges of the constituency through legislative functions and lawmaking.
As a renowned Human Rights activist, she expressed her ambition to transform the Oshimili South Constituency through sustainable development initiatives.
She stated, “I know the problems because I have been with the people; I know the challenges and the aspirations of the people. I am also aware of the present situation in the country and what our people are passing through in terms of poverty and insecurity, including the shortfalls in human capital and infrastructural development. All these are on the table, and I will work with my people to see how, together, we will turn things around for the good of all.”
Anyafulu thanked the Tribunal for upholding justice, which she believed had restored the people’s confidence in the Judiciary’s role in protecting the rights of the common man.
She concluded, “This is a victory for democracy and a win for the entire people of Oshimili South who stood by me during the election and prayed for me while the judicial process lasted. It is now time to prove to my constituents that they made the right choice by electing me to represent them at the State Assembly, and I do hereby promise to do my best to justify the confidence reposed in me.”
