Abia PDP Ex-Aspirant denies withdrawing from race

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

A former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Hon. Sampson Orji (SCUORJ), has denied withdrawing from the race before the May 25 primaries of the party.

Some PDP governorship aspirants including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, had hours before the primaries, withdrawn from the race, citing irregularities in the conduct of the party’s three-man congress.

Orji who made the denial in an interview yesterday in Umuahia, challenged those claiming that he withdrew to produce evidence of any withdrawal letter signed by him and submitted to his party as required by the Electoral Act.

Orji, speaking through his lawyer, Rilwan Idris at the premises of the Federal High Court Umuahia where he is currently challenging the outcome of the primary, faulted the three-man ad-hoc congress which he alleged was not properly conducted.

He explained that he fully participated in the primary but was in court to challenge the non-compliance with due process in the ad-hoc congress.

“Orji fully participated in the primaries. What the PDP and Ikonne are alleging is the that he withdrew but that’s not correct.

“The law is clear as to withdrawal of candidates. Section 31 of the Electoral Act says that such a candidate ought to deliver a letter in writing to his party which must be duly received.

“In this case, he never wrote such a letter; never withdrew. The withdrawal they are alleging is based on snapping picture with those they claimed that withdrew”.

The Counsel expressed sadness over the non appearance of the Respondents (the PDP; and its governorship flag bearer, Professor Uche Ikonne), in court for Friday’s hearing, accusing the Respondents of applying delay tactics to buy time.

He noted that every pre-election matter should be determined within 180 days according to the new Electoral Act, but expressed worry that hearing was yet to commence a month before the expiration of the time.

The Counsel said his client was asking the court to nullify the primaries, and declare him the PDP governorship candidate for Abia.