Abia North: I’ll not lose sleep over tribunal judgement, says Kalu

…as APC rejects verdict, heads for Appeal Court

Following a call for supplementary election in some polling
units across Abia North Senatorial District by the National and
State Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia state
headed by Justice Cornelius Akintayo, former governor of Abia state
and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Dr. Orji
Kalu has urged Abians not to lose hope, stressing that his mandate
would be re-claimed at the Court of Appeal.

Kalu had polled 30,203 votes against his closest rival, Chief
Mao Ohaubunwa of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered
20,801 votes in the February 23, 2019 general election.

While admonishing members and stakeholders of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) to remain strong, steadfast and
law-abiding, Kalu noted that he would not relent in sustaining his
goodwill at the grassroots.

In a statement signed by his media office yesterday, the former
governor noted that his victory in the 2019 general election was
borne out of his popularity among the people, adding that justice
would only be delayed but not denied.

He said: “Following the decision of the National and State
Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, I will
appeal the decision of the tribunal at the Court of Appeal.

“The PDP candidate, Ohaubunwa, is not popular among the people
and as such, my victory in the national assembly polls as a
landslide.

“Any day, any time, the APC will defeat the PDP in Abia North
Senatorial District.

“At the appropriate time, my mandate will be restored.”

Kalu expressed gratitude to Abians for their show of love and
support before, during and after 2019 general election.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State
Chapter has rejected the judgement of the tribunal which nullified
Kalu’s election.

The APC in a statement by its spokesman in the state, Comrade
Benedict Godson said that the party vehemently rejected the
decision of the tribunal.

He urged all Abians, APC supporters and ever dedicated followers
of Dr. Orji Uzor-Kalu’s political history to remain calm as every
legal procedure would be followed to appeal the judgement.

“We reject the judgement of the tribunal completely. We call on
everyone, Abians, party supporters and the ever dedicated followers
of OUK political history to remain calm as every necessary legal
means will be applied to appeal this judgement,” he said.

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