The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Onyejeocha

  • No court order against Onyejeocha, says Abia APC legal adviser

    No court order against Onyejeocha, says Abia APC legal adviser

    The Abia chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports that the Federal High Court issued an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate or prosecute the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

    The party’s Legal Adviser, Vigilus Nwankwo, described the claims as politically motivated, aimed at discrediting the minister ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    In an interview monitored on Arise News, Nwankwo clarified that the court merely granted Amobi Ogah an order of leave, a procedural approval to apply for an order of mandamus, and not a substantive order directing INEC to act.

    He said: “The court is yet to make any order compelling INEC. What was granted was only an order of leave for him to apply for an order of mandamus. He is yet to apply for that order, so it has not been granted.”

    The APC legal adviser stated that the suit was part of a wider political scheme to weaken Onyejeocha’s growing influence within Abia politics, describing it as a pre-emptive move ahead of future elections.

    Read Also: #FreeNnamdiKanuNow: Court reschedules hearing in police suit against Sowore, others

    “All this tango is coming because of the future elections in 2027. The Minister is being targeted because she remains the face of the APC in Abia and enjoys strong grassroots support,” Nwankwo said.

    Nwankwo further maintained that the basis of the suit had already been settled during the 2023 election litigation process. He explained that both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal made no findings against Onyejeocha when Ogah challenged her election victory.

    According to him, the present case amounts to issue estoppel, as it seeks to reopen a matter already determined by a competent court. He added that the Court of Appeal’s decision to void the election was based on technical grounds, specifically the non-presentation of polling agents as witnesses, rather than any allegation of forgery.

    Onyejeocha said she remains focused on her responsibilities in President Tinubu’s administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda and will not be distracted by politically motivated claims.

    It had been widely reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja granted a member of the House of Representatives, Amobi Godwin Ogah, leave to compel the INEC to prosecute the Minister of State for Labour, Onyejeocha, for alleged forgery of election results in 62 polling units during the 2023 general elections.

    Justice M.G. Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court, in his ruling dated September 23, 2025, on an ex-parte motion brought by Ogah, said he was satisfied that the applicant had placed relevant materials in his affidavit to warrant the judgment.

    Onyejeocha had dragged Ogah, representing Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, to the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal after the 2023 elections, claiming victory.

    But Ogah accused her of forging the results she tendered before the tribunal and Onyejeocha eventually lost the case.

  • Fed Govt seeks increased support for youth employment, social security

    Fed Govt seeks increased support for youth employment, social security

    The federal government has urged the leadership of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to support youth employment and social security in Nigeria.

    This is even as the government pushed for the engagements of Nigerian professionals at ILO.

    Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha made the appeal during a meeting with the Director-General of ILO, Gilbert Houngbo, in Geneva, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the 350th Session of the ILO Governing Body.

    The Minister, who represented the federal government, congratulated Houngbo as the first African DG of the ILO for over 100 years of its establishment, assuring him of President Bola Tinubu’s support and cooperation on strategic partnership.

    She also commended Houngbo’s achievements, including promoting social justice and fighting inequalities in the world of work. She also commended the ILO’s successful implementation of programs in Nigeria, particularly those focused on youth employment, a key priority for President Bola Tinunu’s administration.

    In a statement by her special adviser on media, Emameh Gabriel on Thursday in Abuja, the minister said: “We are seeing your handwork on labour relations, and we are proud of you as the first African DG, after 100 years.

    Read Also: Declare a state of emergency now!

    “We will require technical assistance from you, in the departments in our Ministry, especially in the areas of digitalisation.

    “Nigeria is the second highest African contributor to the ILO budget (next to South Africa), thus the need to be more involved and strategically placed in the ILO. We therefore specially request that more Nigerian professionals be employed into the ILO to bridge the under-representation of Nigeria in the ILO workforce, both locally and internationally.”

    The minister informed the ILO DG that Nigeria was vying for re-election into the GB of the ILO as Regular Member for the 2024-2027 Triennium, and sought the support of the ILO.

    “Nigeria currently contributes the second-highest amount among African nations to the ILO budget, and Minister Onyejeocha requested increased collaboration and representation.

    “This includes seeking more technical support for the development of youth employment programs and skills development initiatives,” the statement said.

    “Additionally, Nigeria requested the ILO’s assistance in upgrading the ILO office in Abuja to a “Decent Work Office” serving English-speaking West Africa.

    Developing action plans for the implementation of recently ratified ILO Conventions. Digitalising and strengthening the country’s labour inspection system. Building capacity for Nigerian labour ministry officials.

    “Increasing the number of Nigerian professionals employed by the ILO.

    Nigeria also announced its candidacy for re-election to the ILO Governing Body for the 2024-2027 triennium and requested the ILO’s support.

    “The Minister concluded by reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with the ILO to promote decent work and social justice for all Nigerians,” the statement added.

    The ILO DG extolled Onyejeocha and Nigerians at the ILO, saying they have made good records of themselves.

    He promised that the ILO would continue to provide support for the country.

    He said: “I am happy to see a woman as a Labour Minister from Nigeria and a former parliamentarian. Extend my greetings to the President of Nigeria, Bola. Actually, Bola in my place means God that is why I will always remember his name.

    “Your representatives here in ILO are doing well, and Nigeria as our partner will continue to have our support on labour relations.”