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 Imo guber: opoca lauds inec for obeying the law

 Wants PDP state chairman, secretary to resign

By WILLY EYA


A frontline political organisation in Imo State, the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA), has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for abiding by the rule of law by not displaying the name of any governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Imo State for the forthcoming February elections.

A statement in Owerri yesterday,  signed by the organization’s National President, Dr. Samfo Nwankwo and Acting National Secretary, Prince Marshal Okafor, said INEC by its action had shown that it was a law-abiding institution that would not be cowed by any person or persons, no matter how highly placed.

OPOCA noted that, after the PDP governorship primaries of December 8, the Electoral panel that conducted the primaries  “declared Hon. Emeka Ihedioha winner to the utter disbelief of PDP faithful in the state.”

The statement said that it was in the bid to correct the injustice of the panel that Senator Araraume went to court to reclaim “his stolen mandate” adding that despite the pendency of the matter in the court, Hon. Ihedioha continued to parade himself as the governorship candidate of PDP in Imo State.

OPOCA explained: “In spite of the fact that Hon. Ihedioha was aware that the court had restrained INEC from doing anything that could derail or jeopardise the judicial process, and with full knowledge of this judicial injunction, Hon. Ihedioha continued to parade himself everywhere as the Imo PDP governorship candidate. This action is not only lawless but also reckless.”

OPOCA regretted that Hon. Ihedioha made matters worse by turning around to accuse Senator Araraume of flagging off his campaign, when all that the Senator did last week upon his return from Abuja to Imo State was to insist before his supporters, who came out to welcome him, “that justice must be done in the Imo PDP guber primaries issue”.

“it is   annoying that Ihedioha could turn around to accuse Sen. Araraume of commencing a campaign when all the man did was to assure his anxious supporters that as a law-abiding citizen, he is hopeful that justice will be done for him to reclaim his stolen mandate,” OPOCA added.

The statement also slammed the state chairman of the party, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaelie, and the secretary, Sir George Egu, for signing a statement purporting that Hon. Ihedioha is the governorship candidate, pointing out that their action did not portray them as true umpires, who had respect for the rule of law.

According to OPOCA, “the action of the two state party officers gave them away as partisan; the duo should, therefore, apologise to Imo PDP members or resign their positions immediately.”

The statement expressed the confidence of Imo PDP members in the judiciary, adding that they remained hopeful that the PDP guber ticket would be returned to the rightful winner sooner than later.

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