From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
An apex socio-cultural organisation of Owerri zone, Olu Owerri, has said former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has no hand in the apex court judgment that nullified the senatorial candidate of the party for Imo West.
The group also threatened to expose and sanction political mercenaries who, it alleged, have been executing devilish schemes against the people of Owerri zone by blackmailing their sons who are perceived as credible and acceptable, particularly Ihedioha.
Olu Owerri restated the confidence of Owerri zone as well as Imo people in the character and disposition of the former governor, warning that those who have made themselves willing tools against the people, should be ready for the consequences as Owerri zone will rise unanimously against them.
In statement, yesterday, Martin Opara, president general and Sylvester Nwogu, secretary general of the organisation respectively, said for the avoidance of doubt, former governor who himself was a victim of judgment of the apex court could not have influenced the court’s judgment against his own party.
“The idea of using every little opportunity, even issues that have no direct or indirect link to Ihedioha to blackmail him is a clear pointer to the fact that the enemies of Owerri zone are at work.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let it be stated clearly that Ihedioha had no hand and could not have influenced the Supreme Court judgment against Jones Onyereri, the same Supreme Court that truncated his electoral victory.
“For clarity, Ihedioha had bemoaned and criticised as unfair, the judgment to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ihedioha has nothing to gain from the fact that by that judgment, the PDP which he passionately believes in will have no candidate for Imo West senatorial district.
“Senatorial candidate, Jones Onyereri, is aware of the role Ihedioha played to get an out of court settlement before the judgment.
“Those who are out for mischief and to feast on an otherwise sad situation should have intervened as Ihedioha did before the judgment.
“We hereby give these blackmailers 24 hours to stop, forthwith, withdraw their false claims and apologise to Owerri zone and Ihedioha or be ready to be exposed.
If they don’t, we shall expose their infamous and ignoble roles in the entire saga,” the group said in the statement.
Onyeriri the senatorial candidate of the party for Owerri West (Orlu) had his candidature nullified last Friday by the apex court leaving the party without a candidate for the February 25 2023.