APGA heads for Appeal Court over Abia gov election

Governor Theo Orji

The All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Reagan Ufomba, on Sunday in Abuja advised the Election Petitions Tribunal in Umuahia, which threw out his case against Governor Theo Orji, to exercise caution and fear of God in the discharge of its duties.

Ufomba in a statement entitled ‘Don’t send us to the street’, said he would appeal against the verdict.

He regretted that for the past seven days, the same election tribunal had thrown out 10 petitions “on very questionable grounds”, saying it was not good for the nation’s democracy.

While thanking the people of Abia for their patience and unflinching support in his struggle to “reclaim our stolen mandate given to me overwhelmingly”, he appealed to his supporters to remain calm, law abiding and steadfast in the face of provocations.

He said, “We shall definitely appeal the judgment as, in our estimation, it falls short of our expectation, dwarfs the legal system, defeats the very essence for its establishment and has not in any way addressed issues on the petition as well as providing reliefs.

“My humble appeal to tribunal judges nationwide is to exercise a high level of caution, diligence and fear of God in carrying out their onerous assignment as only inspiration of hope and confidence through justice delivery can stop litigants and their followers from taking to the streets.

“Reckless decisions, impaired pronouncements, and ambush of aggrieved candidates can only lead to loss of faith in the judiciary with attendant unimaginable consequences.

“This is not healthy for our democracy and country. Bottled and unventilated anger can only explode with time. I sincerely do not think this is what the architects of the electoral law intend to achieve.”

Ufomba also commended the gallantry of his legal team led by Mr. C.C. Elele, saying although the counsel put up a spirited fight, the “wish” of the panel of judges prevailed.

The APGA governorship candidate, however, said he was not deterred as only the truth is constant.

On the allegations that Governor Theodore Orji reacted to the verdict by saying it served him (Ufomba) right because he rebuffed all entreaties to work with him, Ufomba said he (Orji) had never spoken to him before, during and after the elections.

He said, “Even if he contacts me I do not see myself working with a confused, visionless and failed governor who assumed office with a stolen mandate. I would only be adding to the number of his already over bloated godfathers to the detriment of the suffering people of Abia State.

“Certainly his joy will be short-lived as the God I serve is not a God of injustice or mediocrity. My great Abians now know who has been blackmailing and lying to them on the issue of petition withdrawal and settlement.”

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