CHAIRMAN of Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka, has denied claims that his party sent emissaries to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the April 11 election, Dr. Alex Otti, to withdraw his petition at the tribunal.
Otti is challenging the declaration of his PDP opponent, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as winner of the election. A statement credited to him over the weekend claimed that he has been under pressure from the PDP to withdraw his petition and negotiate with the party, which he added he has been resisting.
However, Nwaka noted in a statement yesterday: “PDP has no reason to sponsor such entreaty when there is nothing at stake. Otti’s claim that he is being persuaded to withdraw his case/petition is obviously a disguised tactics to invite the PDP to negotiate with him as a face-saving device.
“PDP will not accord him any such soft landing. The party is determined to pursue the electoral case to its conclusion. You don’t make a plea for truce when you hold the ace.”
According to him, Otti’s talk of reclaiming his mandate is a cheap propaganda, as one cannot recover what one never had. He expressed confidence in the judicial system, stating that Otti’s petition will soon be thrown out like that of his co-petitioners.
Meanwhile, he commended Governor Ikpeazu “the great reputation” he has acquired in a short time as an exemplary leader, a great ambassador of the party and an ideal democrat.
