Several months after the People’s Democratic Party’s Primary election in Abia, rifts continue to trail, as some Aspirants who felt they won the primaries and were denied ticket, have approached the court for justice.
Even though the leadership of the PDP had earlier constituted a reconciliation committee to help reconcile aggrieved members, but the effort seem not to have yielded much, as one of the Aspirants for Umuahia North State Constituency, High Chief Raymond Onyinyechi Ofoegbu, popularly called ‘Onyinye Ohuhu’, stood firm that justice must prevail, claiming he won the primary election conducted for the Ohuhu constituency.
High chief Raymond Onyinyechi Ofoegbu
In a media chat with Newsmen in Umuahia, shortly after being bestowed the “Icon of Democracy” award by the Ohuhu Solidarity Forum, Ofoegbu maintained that his struggle for democracy to take its rightful place in this part of the world, paved way for the award.
According to him, he would not condole any situation whereby our democracy would be thrown to the background, but would ensure it is upheld.
He said, “It is unconstitutional for someone who did not participate in an electoral process to be made a candidate.
“Democracy is simply refusing imposition of candidates in Ohuhu land. PDP says its their usual, but not so for me.My usual is electoral process.You must contest an election before you can emerge as a candidate.Before you can be an elected member in any State House of Assembly in Nigeria, you must first participate in an electoral process”.
Mr Ugochukwu Ezeocha
Ofoegbu, however, faulted the process that brought on board,Ugochukwu Ezeocha,as the PDP candidate for Umuahia North State Constituency (Ohuhu), saying he (Ofoegbu) is the rightful House of Assembly candidate for Ohuhu constituency.
“We are standing our ground,we’ll not tolerate the activity of any imposter or the imposition of a candidate from any quarter.
“To be a candidate,you must be nominated and elected by delegates at the Primaries,else you are not a candidate.Therefore, i stand to say, i was cheated by the PDP and i refuse to accept that. PDP must follow their constitution”,he said.
Ofoegbu further explained that he has approached the Federal High Court for justice and expressed optimism that by January 11,2023, his stolen mandate would be regained.
He maintained that he is the rightful candidate for the Ohuhu constituency come 2023 and challenged Ugochukwu Ezeocha to appear in court and defend himself if he feels otherwise.
Meanwhile, he expressed appreciation over the award bestowed on him by the Ohuhu Solidarity Forum, pledging to always give his support to the group,as he would not relent in supporting any idea or program holding in Ohuhu land.
