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•Threatens nationwide protests over results
By Chukwudi Nweje and Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Labour Party (LP) has alleged attempts to rob it of governorship victory.in Abia and Enugu states
It also claimed it was being rigged out in the contest for Edo State House of Assembly seats, saying it was reviewing the polls and putting evidences of infractions in place to name and shame all democratic criminals.
Its National Chairman, Julius Abure, in a statement, yesterday, said if the infringements were allowed to stand, the party would have no option than mobilise members, popularly called OBIdients all over the country to launch a nationwide protest.
He stated this while accusing Governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Abia and Enugu respectively of trying to rewrite the already collated governorship results, which put its, Alex Otti and Chijoke Edoga, ahead.
He alleged that staff of INEC were held hostage in the two states to rewrite the results and rob LP of its victory.
“The scenario is presently playing out in Enugu State where Labour Party’s candidate Chijioke Edeoga is presently leading in virtually all the local governments so far announced. As we speak, INEC staff are held hostage at Obingwa Local Govt by Governor Ikpeazu and his cohorts to rewrite the results already compiled by INEC officials despite order from the election body asking their staff to head to Umuahia to collate results for the election, which is in favour of Labour Party’s Alex Otti.”
He said LP would thwart efforts by PDP in Abia and Enugu to overturn election results that clearly showed it won.
Abure called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the matter even as he warned that the party would not allow a repeat of the daylight robbery that denied its candidate, Peter Obi, victory at the presidential election.
“This is one robbery too many. While Nigerians are yet to get over the ugly rape of a democratic process in last month presidential election by the ruling party at the centre, the PDP has been found engaged in the most shameless manner and disregard for the rights of the citizens. We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to intervene and ensure the transfer of all electoral materials to Umuahia where the sanctity of the election and safety of the officials in charge can be guaranteed. Ikpeazu cannot rig election in his local government which he lost in the Senatorial elections on the 25. “Similarly, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who lost woefully in the last election in Enugu North Senatorial zone is presently doctoring the results from the zone with the help of some compromised INEC staff and Police to ensure that PDP is returned elected in the state against the wishes of the electorate. We have endured what no other political party in the country has endured in the last few weeks because we believe in due process but it appears this is taken for granted. But we may not be patient for too long. Let me sound it for the first time that we will resist every attempt by the PDP in Abia and Enugu States to upturn our mandate.
“It should be recalled that the PDP in both states had issued threats to opposition parties, which was specifically targeted at Labour Party, after sweeping the states during the presidential election, this threat is already manifesting that the ruling party was only interested in rigging elections.
“The Labour Party had thoroughly reviewed all infractions and we have vowed to never again allow the use of foul means to usurp power as it was done in the past and merely ask us to court…We have therefore, resolves that in as much as we remain a law-abiding political party, conducting our affairs strictly within the ambit of our nation’s electoral laws, the party will henceforth resist rigging and we will move to the streets to reclaim our stolen mandates.
“We will henceforth directly and physically confront and resist the election riggers from always having a field day in seizing our democratic institutions and circumventing the rules during elections. We have directed our supporters across the country to get ready for our signal to take over the streets,” he said.
