Etiaba, others ask aggrieved candidates to seek redress

SOME prominent indigenes of Anambra State have called on aggrieved candidates in the just concluded National Assembly elections in the State to seek redress at the polls tribunal.

The call was made by the former Governor of the State, Dame Virgy Etiaba and ex-President-General of the defunct Onitsha Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (OMATA), Chief Godwin Okeke.

They also urged the voters to take advantage of the last sad experience where there were alleged cases of electoral fraud and troop out en masse to vote candidates of their choice.

They further pointed out that Governor Willie Obiano needed like minds to work with to consolidate on the gains of democracy he has been delivering to the people.

Speaking to reporters in in reaction to the outcome of the senatorial and House of Representatives elections during the week, Etiaba pointed out that the reports that got to her on the monumental display of lawlessness and electoral manipulations were disturbing to the point that she began to wonder if the new peace and secure environment in the State had no meaning any longer.

Dame Etiaba who is the first woman Governor in Nigeria said the conduct of the National Assembly elections in her ward was relatively smooth and calm but revealed that , “ in other areas, I learnt money exchanged hands and a lot of hitches and manhandling of people took place….”

On the alleged connivance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies during the election, Dame Etiaba advised them as well as stakeholders to ensure that the March 28, ugly electoral experiences did not re-occur.

The former governor of the State who took over from Peter Obi after his impeachment recalled that it took the administration three years to recover its stolen mandate, advising that, “ no matter how long it takes” the ugly specter that took place on March 28 National Assembly elections, the truth will eventually come out.

According to her, the people should not be deterred but ensure that the crucial April 11, 2015 State House of Assembly election created another opportunity for them to get ready and troop out en masse to exercise their franchise in accordance with the dictates of their conscience Dame Etiaba emphasized the need for the people of the State to adhere to the wake-up call to support and encourage the Obiano administration on the forthcoming State Assembly election on April 11, this year, based on the good works he has done especially in the past one year.

In own contribution, Chief Okeke who is the owner of G.U.O Motors Nigeria Limited, corroborated Dame Etiaba on the need to opt for justice to recover their mandate, and sued for peace, advising the people to remain prayerful as the outcome of the elections was an indication that God heard their many prayers for a peaceful election and transition.

Chief Okeke called on the voters to vote for APGA candidates in the State House of Assembly election, emphasizing that, “… because they are the people that will support APGA to secure at least 90 percent of the seats in the State Assembly election, that is the only way this governor can sustain the tempo of development in all sectors of life across the State.”