ABIA STATE GUBERNATORIAL TRIBUNAL: Matters Arising

In furtherance of our coverage of the happenings at the election petition tribunal, we have discovered an on going battle not known to the non legal mind.

We have it on good authority that PDP is doing everything possible to make sure the petition is not heard on merit.

We hear that between PDP, Okezie Ikpeazu and INEC who are all respondents ,they have filed more than 5 motions seeking to strike out the petition or otherwise scuttle it without the petition going for hearing.

Our investigations show that the APGA team are equal to the task and also experienced in election petition matters.

We discovered that they have responded to all issues raised and have

Cited authorities to the tribunal to show that, the petition should be heard on merit.

Rumours have it that the sum of N5 billion has been earmarked to make sure that the case is killed with the motions without hearing it on the merit, so that by the time APGA has gone on appeal and won the time for the case to be heard will have gone.

We sought the opinion of a lawyer, who explained to us that what is happening is like a chess game between masters. He is sure that APGA team have something up their sleeves. He cited the case of T A Orji who lost at the tribunal but won on appeal and said in this case, with the delay tactics of the PDP, there is a possibility that if they lose in the tribunal they will have no time to appeal.

He concluded by saying that since document do not lie and that Respondents are working together like a team, making them three against APGA, that they should allow the petition to be determined on the merits and on time.

We shall keep you updated. Meanwhile, we heard that inspection of Obingwa electoral materials could not go ahead as the ballot papers were deliberately mixed up and that thugs invaded the place.

We of Abia facts wish to plead that peace should be allowed to reign, the tribunal should be given every assistance to determine who actually won.

The electioneering process can only be over when all the matters in the tribunal are dealt with.

We will continue to be your eye and shall update you.

Source: Abia Facts Newspaper