As the general elections draw nearer, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prof. Victor Ukaogo, has cautioned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against manipulation.
Stressing that the PDP had, in the past, used federal might to short-change the will of Abians, he noted that violence, intimidation and falsification of election results will be resisted by the electorate. The university don berated the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, for allegedly depriving Abians of dividends of democracy, adding that the collective resources of the state are being diverted to private pockets.
While admonishing Abians to be vigilant during the elections, the professor applauded the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for executing more projects in the South East than previous administrations.
Addressing a press conference, in Umuahia, on Monday, the academician charged the political class to play the game by the rules for the sake of Nigeria’s democracy, adding that the APC would continue to make the people’s interest a top priority in its agenda.
He said: “Abia State is where it is, today, because of poor leadership by those at the helm of affairs in the state.
“However, we are not surprised with the unfortunate situation because the PDP used the back door to win election in the state, and as such, they are not obliged to the people. The state of infrastructure in the state is lamentable.
“Workers no longer receive salaries, pensioners are dying of hunger, students are crying because of hike in tuition fees and yet, a selected few are diverting the state resources for personal use.”