THERE was great jubilation in major towns and cities in Abia State last Thursday as news filtered into the air that the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate at the Abia North Senatorial rerun poll, Dr. Orji Kalu has filed a suit at the tribunal against the controversial outcome of the March 5, 2016 rerun poll.
The PPA candidate had through his legal team led by Mr. K. C. Nwufor (SAN) approached the tribunal sitting in Umuahia to protest massive electoral irregularities that robbed him of victory at the poll.
According to our reporters who visited Aba, Umuahia, Arochukwu and Igbere, youths, traders, artisans and old women took to the streets in large numbers in a carnival like event, with most of them moving from one pub and canteen to another to celebrate the development.
Speaking, Okoye Onome, a tailor in Aba decried the level of suffering the people of Abia State have been subjected to due to mismanagement of the state resources by the immediate past administration in the state.
He said, “Kalu is the people’s choice.
“He will give the people of Abia North a strong voice.
“Carry go, OUK. You are the best!”
At the popular Akara junction in Isuikwato LG, a pub owner who craved anonymity said, “my turnover is high today because people are happy as OUK has challenged the election result in the court”.
Chief Daniel Akwari, popularly known as Osu Uzo, a PPA leader in Item, Bende LG, said,” The rerun poll was characterised by widespread rigging by the PDP and its agents, who used the state government machinery to disenfranchise the electorate.
“It is expected to see people throng the streets, singing and dancing to welcome the decision of their preferred choice at the rerun poll, Dr. Orji Kalu to challenge the controversial result in favour of Mao Ohuabunwa of the PDP.
“The people know who they voted for and have vowed to reclaim their stolen mandate through the court.
“We have faith in the credibility of the judiciary to deliver us from the electoral fraudsters and return our stolen mandate.
