Emeka Okafor, Umuahia.
Against disputed emergence of clear winner from Saturday’s Senatorial District Election result of Abia South Senatorial District, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said that the peace and security of the State and her people remain more important to him, than senatorial election victory.
irrespective of whether the process was flawed or not.
Governor Ikpeazu whose disposition after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Senator Enyinna Abaribe as Winner of last Saturday’s Election for Abia South Senatorial District was contained in a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, Wednesday evening said the deveploment became necessary irrespective of whether the process was flawed or not.
According to the Governor, “Our government is resolutely committed to ensuring continuing security and peace that Abia has consistently enjoyed under my watch. We are grateful to God that so far, there is no single account of any loss of life during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. There were also no reports of electoral violence”
“On a personal note, I am a fulfilled man. I have won many battles and elections, including defeating Covid-19. I am completing my two terms as Governor and I am grateful to God for past and future victories. Elections will come and go every four years and just like in any other contest, you win some and lose some”.
“To our detractors, the events of last few days are enough to put us down but we are even more focused and determined now than ever before, to ensure victory for our party, PDP, and our candidates including Chief Okey Ahiwe who is our flag bearer as we approach the Governorship and State Assembly elections. Above all, we will work to ensure that the peace and security which defined the last election are replicated in the Gubernatorial election”.
The Governor, therefore, calls on our people to remain calm, peaceful and resolute as we work to ensure victory in the next round of elections.
Recall that Abia State Governor and senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in Abia South zone, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, relied on fake results to declare the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA), Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, as the winner of the election.
He described Abaribe’s declaration as a charade and brazen display of partiality which cannot stand because it violates the Electoral Act.
Ikpeazu expressed shock that INEC who had earlier confirmed that elections were not conducted in the 108 polling units in Obingwa, Aba South and Abia North council areas, still declared a winner despite protests from party agents.
