Ogbonnaya Ikokwu,Umuahia
The Abia State chapter of the Labour Party and the Governor-Elect, Dr. Alex Otti, have said it has uncovered another plots by agents of Abia State government and a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, in connivance with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Judiciary to procure a Court order purporting to have removed the Abia Governor-Elect.
Otti, alleged that felons behind the heinous intends to collect a “Certificate of Return” from their allies in INEC to create confusion in Abia State on May 29, 2023.
A statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma Special Adviser media to Otti on Media and Njoku Jerry Ajike
State Publicity Secretary
Labour Party, on Monday stated that those behind the plot are planning to install an Interim Government led by a Judge in the state.
The statement read in part, “Certain individuals from Abia who are working assiduously in secrete with both the Peoples Democratic Party/Abia state government and the APC Chieftain respectively, just recently boasted that Abia would have an Interim Government led by a Judge. Large amount of money in foreign currency stolen from Abia treasury has been set aside for this exercise.
“While we make bold to tell these enablers of anarchy that their plot is already doomed, we must also warn that these actions which represent a fulfilment of the threats made by agents of Abia State government to make the state ungovernable over their defeat at the last elections, would have severe consequences should the perpetrators refuse to stop and give peace a chance.
“It’s strange that the same elements who had since gone to the Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election are no longer confident in following the route provided by the law, but have rather resorted to impunity that would disrupt the peace and security of our people and our state.
“Finally, the Abia Governor-Elect, Dr. Alex Otti and his party, the Labour Party wish to reassure Abians once again, that the Divine Mandate unanimously given to him and his party by Abians remains Sacrosant, Safe and Secure, and that under no circumstance would these civilian coupists and criminal usurpers and interlopers be allowed to steal it”.
But in a swift reaction
Abia PDP Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary Elder Abraham Amah, denied the involvement of the party in the alleged plot.
Amah in a statement stated,”The Abia PDP last week said that it was not a party to the suit filed against the Labour Party and the Abia governor-elect at the Kano federal high court and maintains that its own case which it is going to pursue to a conclusion is at the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal holding at Umuahia but it would equally not ignore the judgement of a federal high court which relates to the particulars of its own case at the Tribunal.
“Abia PDP advises Alex Otti and the Labour Party to stop stoking unnecessary tension in Abia and allow the judiciary to do its work.
“We advise the members of the PDP and the good people of Abia State to remain peaceful, calm, law abiding and wait for the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal so that Abians would know who actually won the Abia governorship election”.
Efforts to contact the Commissioner of information in the State Chief Eze Chikamnayo, proved abortive as calls put across to his mobile phone number indicated that it was switched off.