Maduako Igbokwe l Friday, February 10, 2023
UMUAHIA, Nigeria – All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA), Abia State chapter has rejected the nullification of its May 29, 2022 governorship primary by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.
The party in a statement signed by the state chairman, Rev Augustine Ehiemere on Thursday said it is strange that Appellate Court could find any ground to nullify a governorship primary adjudged to be the most peaceful and credible in the country.
The statement reads,
“We find it so strange that the Appellate Court would find any ground to nullify a governorship primary adjudged to be the most peaceful and credible in the country; a primary fully participated by all the aspirants who took time to address the delegates before the commencement of the exercise; a primary that was conducted under the watchful eye of all the necessary stakeholders including the security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and beamed live by the media.
It is on record, and a fact that cannot be controverted that all four of our governorship aspirants were present at the venue of the primary – Kolpping Society Umuahia- , and were all given equal opportunity to address the delegates before one of them, Sir Chikwe Udensi, later left the venue and went to a certain hotel where it was later reported on the social media that he declared himself a governorship candidate.
His shenanigan not withstanding, the exercise at Kolpping Society continued peacefully under the watch of the Electoral Committee sent by the National leadership of our party. Interestingly, the remaining three aspirants – Greg Ibe, Etigwe Uwa, and Gen. Ijioma Ijioma (retd.) were all together eating bananas and groundnuts as members of one family, observing the proceedings until the end. When finally the votes were counted and result announced, they all congratulated our candidate, Professor Greg Ibe, who emerged with a landslide victory.
It is unfortunate that these aspirants who lost out in a transparent and credible primary later went to court variously to challenge the outcome of the contest. It is also a surprise that individuals who had all committed to peaceful primary, mouthing their love for Abia and APGA, could later conspire to destroy the very house they had claimed they came to build. There is God ooooh!
We are yet to find any justification in the judgement which went beyond the prayers before the court, and like father Christmas granted what was never pleaded by the plaintiff. The plaintiff, Sir Udensi in his twin- prayers, asked to either be declared governorship candidate of our party or a rerun of the primary election. But the Court veered off the track to nullify the entire governorship primary. This is nothing but a travesty of justice which of course, cannot stand the scrutiny of the apex court.
We totally align with our governorship candidate, Professor Greg Ibe, in his avowed determination to proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgement and ultimately reclaim his mandate. Professor Ibe has our total loyalty and unflinching support in this battle against anti-democratic forces holding Abia State down. We urge him not to be deterred for the heart and prayers of Abians are with him. God will continue to strengthen him against his detractors.
APGA still has confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. Hence, we are very optimistic that the Supreme Court will look at the merits of the matter and affirm the mandate of our governorship flag bearer, Professor Greg Ibe.
We, therefore, urge our teeming members and supporters to remain calm and restrain from any act capable of portraying the party in the bad light. God has the final say. We shall get to our glorious destination. They should remain focused. Their support for both our great party and candidates should not waiver despite these distractions orchestrated by our detractors and their partners to distablise us. We are committed to our resolve to rescue Abia and make her great again!
We advise our members not to engage in any act capable of causing disaffection in the party. Let’s remain prayerful and hope on God who has the final say in every matter”
