Posted by By TOPE ADEBOBOYE on
Director of Abia State Hospitals Management Board, Elder Emma Ezeala, has expressed optimism that last week's nullification of Chief T. A. Orji's election as Abia State governor by the state election petition tribunal in Umuahia would soon be overturned by the Appeal Court.
Director of Abia State Hospitals Management Board, Elder Emma Ezeala, has expressed optimism that last week's nullification of Chief T. A. Orji's election as Abia State governor by the state election petition tribunal in Umuahia would soon be overturned by the Appeal Court.
Ezeala, in an interview with Daily Sun, said neither government officials nor the ordinary people of Abia State are losing sleep over the matter, as they are certain that their beloved governor would serve out his term in the Government House.
The Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) chieftain, who expressed surprise at the ruling, stated that Orji actually resigned his post as chief of staff to the erstwhile governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, even as he pooh-poohed the tribunal's conclusion that Orji belonged to a secret cult.
'We are happy that the tribunal acknowledged that Governor T.A. Orji won the election fair and square. The Appeal Court will definitely take care of that. But basically, the governor is a seasoned technocrat who knows his onions. The governor is a man of the people. He is a man who knows the people very well, a man who has lived his life in Umuahia. Governor Orji has always been in touch with the people, unlike some of his opponents who have been living in Lagos and Abuja."
Ezeala picked holes in the tribunal's ruling that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the elections, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu be declared governor in Orji's place, wondering how a man who didn't score up to 25 percent in the election be sworn in as governor.
The PPA chieftain, said Orji has surpassed the electorates' expectations in the areas of healthcare, education, and provision of basic infrastructure, among others.
He described as shameful attempts by some desperate politicians to seek through the backdoor what they couldn't get through the ballot box.
According to him, it was unfortunate that the tribunal relied on some stage-managed video simulation to label Orji a secret society member. 'Governor Orji is a clear cut Christian," he stated.
'What they did was pure animation. Both the governor and his deputy actually resigned their positions before contesting the elections. The deputy governor was former commissioner for Lands under Orji Uzor Kalu government. He resigned and another commissioner was appointed in his place. The governor also resigned and an acting chief of staff was appointed in his place."
He urged politicians to always ensure that the interest of the people remain paramount in their minds. 'You don't get to power through acts of desperation," he said. 'Power comes from God. God gives it to whoever He wills through the mandate of the people.
That is why Governor Orji will win elections anytime elections are held in Abia State. People in PDP know they will always lose in Abia State. That is why they want to get to power through the back door. But we are sure that decision will be upturned and Governor Orji will retain his seat."