Abia: Group seeks Ohuabunwa’s arrest as students back Kalu

A political advocacy group under the aegis of Violence-Free Election Group (VFEG) has called on security agencies to arrest sponsors and perpetrators of electoral fraud in the interest of Nigeria’s growing democracy.
The call was made by Paul Osagie, coordinator of the body, while addressing a press conference in Abuja on the verdict of the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri which nullified the election of Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as senator representing Abia North.
The three-man appellate panel headed by Justice I. G. Mbaba had last Thursday declared that the March 28 National Assembly election in Abia North was marred by high-level irregularities, while results were mutilated.
According to the NGO, the era of electoral rigging and violence is over as President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his determination to ensure that anyone caught in the criminal act of manipulating, rigging and falsification of election results will not go unpunished.
Osagie said: “Based on the presidential stance against election fraud, it is pertinent for the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to swing into action by bringing Mr. Mao Ohuabunwa and his agents to face penalties for their unconstitutional actions during the March 28 senatorial poll in Abia North’’.
“It is only when people are punished for their negative actions that others will desist from the unruly behaviours.
“Nigeria’s democracy is growing and in order to sustain the tenets of democracy, we must conduct ourselves in a responsible manner”.
The group called on relevant stakeholders, especially political parties, to play the game by the rules, adding that politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair.
Meanwhile, ahead of the Abia North Senatorial rerun election, the candidature of the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), received a major boost following his adoption by the Confederation of Abia Students Worldwide (CASW), an umbrella body of students of Abia State origin.
The group made the declaration during a solidarity visit to the Igbere country home of the former governor at the weekend.
According to the President of CASW, Comrade Kelvin Ukonu, Kalu is a special human being created for a special purpose.
He said: “We, students from different tertiary institutions at home and abroad, are gathered here today to show solidarity to the man of the masses, who has not only continued to empower the people but has also sustained his relationship with the grassroots’.
“Kalu’s philanthropic gestures know no bounds. He has created job opportunities and wealth for the teeming populace. His accomplishments in the private and public sectors make him the superlative candidate to advance the cause of the people of Abia North Senatorial District”.
“He would bring to bear his wealth of experience in government to initiate and pursue a responsive legislative agenda that will translate into improved well-being for the people,’’ he concluded.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Stanley Okoro, who received the delegation on behalf of Kalu, expressed appreciation to the students for their unflinching support at all times, adding that if Kalu is elected, he will live up to expectation.
According to him, Kalu’s candidature is the best for Abia North, considering his love for the masses.
“He will promote a robust legislative agenda that will have meaningful impacts on the people,’’ Okoro said.