Enugu guber: Business community urges APC to accept defeat

The Allied Business Community (ABC) in Nsukka, Enugu State has called on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015 governorship election, Chief Okey Ezea, to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith.

They pleaded with the candidate and his party to take a cue from President Goodluck Jonathan, an incumbent, who, according to them, “lost, but did not hesitate to concede defeat.”

Ezea had rejected the outcome of the exercise that gave victory to the PDP candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, over what he described as “massive rigging and violence that trailed its conduct.”

He has, therefore, insisted on challenging the election at the Tribunal.

But briefing reporters in Enugu on Monday, President of the Allied Business Community, Augustine Okagu, urged him to bury the hatchet and partner with Ugwuanyi to move the state forward.

Flanked by the secretary, Ojobo Godwin and Patron Theophilus Nzuteigbo, the group, which recalled that it had before the election played host to the candidates of both political parties, added: “Now that the election is over and a winner has emerged, we congratulate Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the PDP and equally ask our brother, Okey Ezea, to accept the outcome in the interest of our state.

“We have no doubt in Ugwuanyi’s ability to justify the mandate that has been given to him by the people of Enugu State. What is required, at this point, is for all the good people of this state, irrespective of political inclinations, to help in creating the enabling environment for him to work.

“Our stand at this post-election period is anchored on the principle of no victor, no vanquished. This is necessary because the two candidates are from Nsukka, and it will not do us any favour to continue fighting, even at this period.

“We urge Ezea to jettison the idea of challenging the election at the Tribunal so as to avoid anything that would distract the governor-elect from satisfying the aspirations of the Nsukka people in particular and Enugu residents in general.”