Okey Sampson, Aba
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Abia North, Udo Egwu, has warned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia against continuous peddling of rumours against the former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.
Egwu described the recent rumour allegedly being peddled by PDP members in Abia State, that Kalu, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Abia North, hoarded sensitive Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) materials in his home, as a smokescreen.
He said the PDP came up with the allegation to cover up the electoral fraud they committed in the state by preparing the result of an election that did not take place.
A man whose name was simply given as Gaius was apprehended in Umuahia last Saturday, with a pre-prepared result sheet in favour of the PDP, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections that were put off at the 11th hour.
Gaius, who reportedly implicated some PDP chieftains in the state of being the brains behind the deal, was arrested, while allegedly going to submit the result sheet to INEC headquarters in Umuahia.
Egwu said it was in an attempt to cover their folly and shame that PDP started pointing accusing fingers at Kalu.
According to Egwu: “A brilliant student who has prepared well for an exam does not need to cheat in order to pass; it is a dullard that would go all out in an exam to cheat, in order to pass.
“Kalu, as far as this election is concerned, is that bright and brilliant student, who has prepared well and has no reason to cheat to win the election. He is the man of the people and accepted everywhere, even beyond Abia North.”
He warned the PDP against carrying fake news against Kalu, as that would not stop him from winning the election.
Meanwhile, former Chief of Staff to Abia State Government, Revd (Mrs) Jemimah Kalu, has equally cautioned the PDP in the state against spreading rumour against the former governor.
The former permanent secretary called on security agencies to beef up security in Abia State. She alleged that the PDP candidates in the state had thumb-printed ballot papers before the election was cancelled.
Mrs. Kalu, who addressed market women and youths in Igbere, last weekend, said the people of Abia North Senatorial District have adopted Kalu as their sole candidate, adding that no amount of propaganda would stop him from winning the seat.
She said: “The PDP has been spreading fake news that the former governor hoarded ballot papers in his residence, in an attempt to blackmail the APC’s candidate for Abia North.”
She said it was on record that PDP candidates in the state had been buying and stocking voters’ cards before the cancellation of the presidential and national assembly elections.
She urged the people of the zone to come out en masse and vote for Kalu in the rescheduled election.