Abia Guber Poll: APGA Raises Alarm over Plot To Influence Tribunal’s Verdict

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Umuahia – The Abia state chapter of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has raised the alarm over alleged moves by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to influence the decision of the election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia.

The party, in a statement signed by its chairman, Mazi Charles Ezeh, and secretary, Martin Udensi, made available to newsmen on Thursday in Umuahia, vowed to resist the PDP alleged plot.

“We viewed with serious concern, alleged sinister plots of the PDP leadership in the state to spend huge sums of money to secure victory at all costs at the tribunals.

“We also view with serious concern the involvement of PDP top leaders, including a former governor in the state and a former senator from Imo State, in the plot, with the sole motive of diverting public funds to influence, subvert the course of justice by employing their age-old corrupt, uncivilised antics to compromise free and fair proceedings at the tribunals.”

APGA, also accused officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state of refusing to fully comply with the tribunal’s orders to allow APGA governorship candidate to inspect certain election materials in their possession.

The party condemned what it described as the barbaric antics of the PDP leadership, which it alleged had deployed thugs to attack and unleash violence on APGA lawyers to abort the inspection of election materials as ordered by the tribunal. It advised the PDP of the change sweeping across the country, which abhors impunity, fraud and corruption.

The party however, urged its members in the state to remain calm as all constitutional means were being followed to recover the mandate that was allegedly given to them by people of the state.