The threat by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressive Congress, APC to challenge the victory of Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party, LP at the March 18 Governorship/State Assembly elections in Abia has angered Prof. Greg Ibe, who sees it as a threat to Abia victory.
Prof. Ibe is the All Progressive Grand Alliance governorship candidate at the above election.
Prof. Ibe had his message to Abians after the election, congratulated Abians for collectively and comprehensively ending PDP’s 24 years of unproductive maladministration through the ballot. However, Tuesday, PDP made a u-turn from itsearlier promise through the governor that it will not drag Otti to the court, stating that it has instructed it’s Lawyers to institute a court action against Otti.
In a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen wednesday night, Prof. Ibe lamented, “While hailing the other political parties for their role in what has now turned out to be the victory of Abia people, I passionately appealed to my brother candidates to sheath their swords and resist the temptation of resorting to litigations in order to settle perceived election breaches.
“As clearly enunciated in the statement under review, my position is not an attestation to the credibility of the guber balloting, but a sacrificial initiative aimed at re-channeling our collective energies to the crucial task of rebuilding our state and a positive affirmation that Abians are truly the real victors and winners of that historic March 18 governorship election.
“While appreciating some of my brother candidates for manifesting patriotism by accepting my plea, I am however surprised to hear about recent plans by APC and PDP to take our state back to the dark gloomy days of avoidable legal fireworks by challenging that Abia victory in the law courts”.
He therefore warned, “the current threat to take our Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti to the election tribunal by agents of the APC and PDP is tantamount to taking the entire people of Abia to court and will therefore be interpreted and handled as an affront against the aspirations of citizens of the 17 LGAs of the state.
“PDP in particular should remember and be continually guided by the maxim that says,”he who lives in a glass house must of a necessity refrain from throwing stones”.
“Abians haven’t forgotten in a hurry the many years of voter intimidation, suppression and massive rigging perpetuated by the PDP, deploying the infamous Obingwa magical figures.No they haven’t forgotten the flagrant raping of their treasury, flouting of processes and guidelines by the same PDP.
“It is a common saying in Igbo mythology that when the masquerade misbehaves he is promptly reminded that he is made of wood and the child that denies the mother sleep shall also not slumber. PDP is therefore advised to respect the will of Abians and the collective desire of the people for change.
“Rather than embarking in retrogressive anti-Abia antics, they should channel their energies to the more productive task of perfecting their hand over documents”.
Prof. Ibe enjoin the APC guber candidate, High Chief Ikechi Emenike “to be contended with many political appointments including Pro-Chancellor of University of Nigeria and Ambassador to the United States of America which his family has been holding on behalf of NdiAbia for many years”.
“While being grateful to God and NdiAbia for not opposing these developments, I enjoin him to be encouraged by the tumultuous rejoicing and jubilation witnessed throughout Abia on 22 of March, following the declaration of the election result and abandon the plan to commence legal proceedings against Dr Otti.
“It is against the backdrop of the dire consequences of post election court cases as experienced by Governors TA Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu that I invite all people of goodwill who have the good of Abia at heart to join me in campaigning for cessation of all legal hostilities to enable the Governor-elect concentrate on rebuilding our state.
“It is true that any forensic investigation into the processes and procedures adopted in the production of governorship candidates of any of the parties will definitely reveal some actionable matters, just as mine was tested 22 times in different court cases before the election.
“Let me therefore enjoin our people to remain peaceful and not resort to any act capable of jeopardizing the peace in God’s Own State”.
