Guber poll tribunal verdict: Otti uncovers plans to cause tension

…Calls for investigation of allegations

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Abia State government has accused the two opposition parties challenging the victory of Dr. Allex Otti in the 2023 governorship election in the state at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal of trying to cause tension and instability in Abia ahead of the Tribunal’s verdict.

The tribunal which has been sitting in Umuahia is due to deliver its ruling on the petitions filed by the People Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr. Okey Ahiwe; and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, against Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, his Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, October 6, 2023.

Recently, two unidentified groups, in recent press conferenes, accused the Abia government of funding plans to remove Tinubu from office, supporting Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and planning to unleash mayhem on the tribunal judges sitting over petitions arising from the governorship election in the state if it delivers unfavourable judgement against it.

Denying these allegations during a Press Briefing on Tuesday at Government House in Umuahia, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, accused the two opposition parties of being behind the allegations, judging from their antecedents.

He then called on President Tinubu and security agencies to institute a thorough investigation into these allegations, to extract detailed information from those making these unfounded allegations against the Governor and Abia government.

Moreover, Ekeoma said because Governor Otti was a product of the popular choice of Abians, government considered it demeaning insult and provocative blackmail for a group greedy hatchet men with no stake in Abia to make statements that have the capacity to destabilize the state, as well as subject the government and people of the state to public disgrace.  

“The young men who organised these press conferences should be invited by security agencies to come and throw more light on their allegations to enable law enforcement agents carry out thorough investigation that could lead to the arrest of the culprits,” Ekeoma said.

The governor’s aide insisted that because those challenging the Governor’s return by INEC in the March 18, 2023 guber poll knew that they have a bad case, they have resorted to panic and desperate strategy of deceit and destabilisation.

“The attention of Abia state government,” Ekeoma said, “has been drawn to videos arising from two press conferences conducted by individuals suspected to have been hired by opposition elements who were roundly defeated in the last Governorship election in Abia state.

“In the first press conference, a group of few young men had alleged that Governor Alex Otti was using Abia Funds to sponsor the litigation of the LP Presidential candidate in the last Presidential Election, Mr. Peter Obi. 

“In the second press conference, another group of strange fellows alleged that the four month old Government of Dr. Alex Otti is sponsoring the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to cause terror in the state.

“They went further to call for the Governorship election judgement billed for 6th October 2023 not to be delivered in Abia because the Abia State Government had allegedly concluded plans to intimidate the Justices to deliver judgement in favour of Governor Alex Otti or alternatively would ensure that the Judges would be killed if they fail to deliver judgement in favour of the Governor,” Ekeoma added, saying that allegations lowered the office of the Governor and were insults on the sensibilities of Abians. 

“Because these allegations are weighty and have the propensity to cause disaffection, insecurity, breakdown of law and order, and even endanger the lives and property of innocent citizens,” he said, government was demanding a thorough investigation.

He therefore called on His Excellency, the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the Chief of Army Staff, the National Security Adviser and the Inspector-General of Police to “kindly use their good offices to cause immediate and thorough investigation into these allegations.

He believes that the young men who organised these press conferences should be invited by security agencies to come and throw more light on their allegations to enable law enforcement agents carry out thorough investigation that could enable them to get to the root of the matter and arrest those found culpable of making the false allegations.

Ekeoma maintained that because “Governor Alex Otti’s position as Governor of Abia State is a product of a nationally celebrated Governorship election victory, we consider it a demeaning insult and a provocative blackmail for a group of greedy hatchet men with zero-stake in the Abia project to sit behind the microphone and spew gibberish that lowers the office of the Governor of Abia State while insulting the sensibilities of our people who have heaved a sigh of relief since the emergence of Governor Alex Otti.” 

He further buttressed the call for investigation and arrest of the accusers by contending that “the hate, anger, bitterness and the trademark of terror contained in the text of the press conference and on the facial expression of the accusers showed a despicable design to subject the government and people of Abia state to public opprobrium.” 

Ekeoma also insisted that the two opposition parties that were in court, suspected to be the sponsors of the allegations, should be exposed and punished for choosing the perfidious path that seeks to advance their selfish interest against the genuine interest of millions of innocent Abians.

“The two opposition parties that are in court against Governor Otti and who are suspected to be the brains behind these allegations know very well that they have terrible cases and that their suits would be thrown into the trash bin on the 6th of October, hence the resort to this panic and desperate strategy of deceit and destabilisation.”

Ekeoma called on Abians to remain calm and shun all devices to trick them into indulging in violence.