NORTH AMERICA-BASED Abians under the aegis of Abia State National Association of North America  (ASNA) have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to mobilise more staff to Abia State for Saturday supplementary election in the state, even as they called for transparency in today’s poll.

The association also advised Abians that “ no matter the outcome of this poll, join hands with the declared winner to move our state forward as one people”. ASNA, in a statement made available to The Guardian, called on all residents of Abia State to be law abiding, and eschew all forms of violence during the electoral process.

ASNA disclosed that it has already set up a “Truth and Reconciliation Committee” to mediate and reconcile all the aggrieved “as a way to move our state forward”.

The statement, which was signed by ASNA National President, Dr Christian Ike; Secretary General, Ismael Eneogwe and National Public Relations Officer, Mazi Frank Agodi, lamented the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije representing Abia North, even as it described the late senator as a fearless patriot.

Meanwhile, Abia State PDP Chairman, Emma Nwaka, has said that death of Chukwumerije would be a great loss to the Igbo nation, saying” his valiant role to stem the tide of Igbo extermination through the pogroms of the 1960s cannot be easily forgotten.”

Nwaka added:“All he stood for was for fair treatment to all sections of the country. He was passionate about any cause he believed in, and he was always on the side of the underdog. Hence, he will be surely missed”.