The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State is plotting to thwart the ambition of Governor Theodore Orji to become a senator.

Though Orji has been returned as the senator-elect for Abia Central senatorial district, APGA is alleging that its candidate, Nze C. Esiaga, was robbed of victory in the March 28 National Assembly polls, adding that it has concluded plans to drag the governor before the tribunal to reclaim its mandate.

The APGA faction led by Ochiagha Regan Ufomba, while reacting to results of the National Assembly elections in the state, alleged that the polls were characterised by malpractice, including late arrival of materials and absence of original result sheets in most of the polling units, violence in some local governments, barring APGA agents from entering the polling units and collation centres, multiple voting as well as alteration of results.

He said: “We of APGA under my leadership – because I remain the leader of APGA in the state; I ran for election on the platform of APGA in 2011 and I am also running in 2015 – on our own, have collected reports from the 184 wards of the state, the three senatorial zones, the eight constituencies and the 17 local government areas and we feel very, very sad at the turn of events.

“Reports reaching us have it that in Umuahia North, the sitting governor lost even in his booth, lost in Umuahia South, lost in Ikwuano, lost in Umuahia North. Today, he is heading to the senate and our candidate who defeated him roundly is sitting here, he is the choice of the people, whereas the man that was rejected is heading to Abuja to represent us. We will say no to that. We have said no to that and we are going to fight it in court.”

However, it is not only Gov. Orji that APGA is raring to do legal battle with but all other candidates who were allegedly awarded APGA victory. Ufomba lamented that what happened during the National Assembly elections in Abia left much to be desired, stressing that APGA was being brazenly robbed of victory by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His words: “The report we have clearly indicates that APGA won virtually in every polling unit in Abia State but the result that is being churned out shows otherwise. We are here to openly, vehemently say no to that result and the result whereby APGA wins and the PDP candidate is announced is totally unacceptable to us.

“We reject the results and we will challenge them at the tribunal. We have the authentic results and we have encouraged our candidates to proceed to the election tribunal. I think that is what the law requires and that is due process. We are not hooligans, we are not vandals. But it is said once beaten, twice shy.

“We are expecting in this state on the 11th of April, that everybody plays to the rule. We will not tolerate this level of brigandage, this level of sabotage because whether you like it or not, when you vote the right persons and wrong persons get in, both the economy, the political and social life of the people are being sabotaged.”

Ufomba felicitated with the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), on his electoral victory with a call on him to tackle headlong, insecurity and economic problems facing the country. He expressed hope that Buhari’s victory will usher in change in Nigeria as he accused President Goodluck Jonathan of non-performance.

Felicitating with Buhari, Ufomba said: “I want to seize the opportunity to congratulate our brand new President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. We are happy and excited that we have a new President who will tackle headlong, issues of insecurity, issues of the economy, issues of corruption and of course, the structure of Nigeria,” Ufomba said, adding: “We cannot thank God enough. I join all Nigerians to congratulate our President-elect once more, General Muhammadu Buhari. It is victory for us all.”

•Photo shows Ufomba and his running mate, Chief (Mrs.) Theresa Duruoha during the press briefing at his Umuogele country home in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.

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