Anietie Udobit, Umuahia
Ahead of a possible supplementary poll between Senate Chief
Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa as ruled by the Election Petitions
tribunal sitting in Umuahia, a chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic
Party(PDP) in Abia state and ex-Chairman of Arochukwu Local Government Area, Amah
Abraham, has warned Orji Kalu to stop intimidating people from the zone with
his security aides.
Grow your business with us
Orji Kalu was reported to have been escorted by over 70 security personnel comprising army, police, DSS, civil defense, Road safety officials and local vigilante boys, during his recent outing to Obikinta in Arochukwu LGA last weekend.
Amah expressed worry over the development, claiming that the
ex-Abia Governor was only trying to instill fear in the people.
Addressing newsmen in a press conference in Umuahia,
Thursday morning, Amah faulted Kalu’s decision to visit Arochukwu with a large
number of armed security personnel, saying the action was suspicious.
He accused Senator Kalu of plotting to intimidate voters in
Arochukwu where the greater chunck of affected wards and polling units for the
exercise domiciled.
Recall that the Justice Cornelius Adebayo -led panel had
invalidated Kalu’s election and ordered the Independent National Electoral
Commission, INEC, to organise a supplementary poll between him and Ohuabunwa
within 90 days.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain has, however,
appealed the tribunal’s verdict.
Results in eight out of the 11 electoral wards in Arochukwu
were cancelled in the February 23rd election, and are involved in the exercise
if the Appeal Court upholds the tribunal’s judgement.
“It is suspicious and provocative for Kalu to visit
Arochukwu the home of his opponent with such intimidating number of security
personnel. What does Kalu intend to achieve by visiting Arochukwu with over 70
security personnel? We know his antics as a showman who always tries to overate
himself.
“He should be reminded that intimidation will not work for
him this time. Aro Oke Igbo is ready for him and he will be disappointed. The
people are resolute to recover their stolen mandate and ready to pay whatever
price that is required. So, no amount of intimidation or showmanship can stop
them.
The PDP stalwart also called on the Service Chiefs to
monitor the activities of their officers in the state to avoid abuse.
He further warned against any plot to use security agents to
rig the forthcoming supplementary election, saying such move will be vigorously
resisted by the people.
“I’m yet to read the section of our constitution that says
army should become security aides to senators or lawmakers. This abuse must
stop. Security agents should stop being used as instruments of terror in the
hands of politicians. Not even Mr President moves around with such number of
security personnel let alone a senator whose mandate is still a subject of
litigation.
“Abia North has remained peaceful and should not be militarised.
If Kalu is holding a valid mandate he should not be jittery. No people-elected
lawmaker needs military escort to visit his constituents”.