Posted by ALPHONSUS NWEZE, Onitsha on
A spiritual twist was yesterday injected into last week's nullification of the election of Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State by the five-man Anambra Election Petition Tribunal as the State House of Assembly declared a 21-day fast for the embattled governor.
•‘God hates injustice'
A spiritual twist was yesterday injected into last week's nullification of the election of Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State by the five-man Anambra Election Petition Tribunal as the State House of Assembly declared a 21-day fast for the embattled governor.
But swiftly reacting to the development, acting National chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh said the declaration of the fast is akin to asking God to change from being a just God to a "God of injustice."
The tribunal had annulled Ngige's election, saying the APGA candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, actually won the 2003 poll, even as Gov. Ngige filed appeal papers.
The lawmakers, in a motion by Mr. Bona Oraekwe, representing Onitsha South 11 constituency, resolved to pray and fast for Governor Ngige in his appeal against the ruling of the tribunal which awarded victory to APGA's Peter Obi.
The House, unanimously adopting the resolution, seconded by Chief Sylevester Okeke Aniocha 1 constituency) urged members to pray and fast for the next 21 days so that God will intervene in the appeal.
Moving the motion, Okeke commended Gov. Ngige's statesmanship, saying he had maintained decorum in the face of violent aggression in the manner he received the election tribunal verdict.
Deputy Speaker, Chief Ozo Ughamadu, contributing to the motion, praised the courage of Governor Ngige after the judgement even in the face of obvious provocation.
Meanwhile, the state chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has expressed concern over the unpredictable political development, in the state, saying that this does not augur well for the overall development of the area.
He called on the people to remain calm as the final judgement in the appellate court after the tribunal verdict would come from God and not man, while urging the people not to take laws into their hands.
Ikedife commended Ngige for showing light through his enormous achievements and laudable programmes so far in the state and stressed the need for the people not to take law into their hands by resorting to violence.
"God is the final court in this matter. And we shall wait for that. Ngige has shown the light in his governance so far in the state," he said.
Chief Umeh said "God is a holy one who abhors injustice and who would never allow Himself to be manipulated or dented by man."
The APGA chairman stated that the lawmakers were merely trying to see how to make Gov. Ngige come out of his shock.
According to him, the declaration of Mr. Obi as the winner of the governorship election was made possible by God, saying that God did that to ensure peace and justice return to the country.
Said he: "God knows who won the election and He has given to the person who won it because he wants peace and justice to reign in the state."
On the governor's prayers at the Appeal Court in Enugu to set aside the decision of the tribunal, Umeh described the move as a judicial abuse.
He submitted that judges at the Appeal Court are eminent people who cannot be messed up by anybody.
Meanwhile, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in Anambra State said the outcome of the tribunal proceedings had vindicated its position that the 2003 election in the area was massively rigged.
It counselled the judiciary in the country to take note of the courageous and gallant judgement of the tribunal and emulate same so as to build a nation based on social justice.