Nwaka

Sam Obinna Ibe/ Umuahia.

The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned in its entirety the fire incident that gutted the INEC office of Obingwa Local Government Area of the state as unfortunate.

Addressing journalists in the state in his office at 32 Finbarrs rd. Umuahia, the State PDP Chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka further said that the fire incident is an unfortunate one but however lambasted the opposition party in the state (APGA) for taking over what should be the police functions as regards the ugly incident.

The PDP chairman pointed out that during the just concluded 2015 general elections the Isiala Ngwa South INEC office was also burnt down by the opposition party, stressing that it was obvious, both Isiala Ngwa North and South are strong holds of his party (PDP). He added that APGA thought that INEC would use that excuse to withhold the winner of the election in the Abia House of Assembly but maintained that this strategy failed them as INEC issued the winner of election with certificate of returns.

Senator Nwaka disclosed that if there is any Local Government that governor of the state should win, it is his local government of origin “OBINGWA,” stressing that since 1999 till date, PDP has not lost election there.

He pointed out that the election petition tribunal has ordered that both parties should jointly inspect election materials at INEC office in Obingwa while stressing that his party is not happy with what happened that if by tomorrow, INEC declares for a re-run at Obingwa that PDP will not only win again but will do better than it did before. Nwaka therefore stressed that his party has not lost election in Obingwa because it is PDP’s stronghold.

In a swift reaction, the State Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, accused PDP for the cause of the fire incident at INEC office at Obingwa wondering while such incident should occur when the tribunal has granted the plea of his party for the election documents at Obingwa to be brought to the court.

The APGA Chairman recalled past experiences of PDP dropping of empty coffin in Aba and other harassments of their members and of their properties. He therefore called on INEC and the Federal Government to ensure that justice is done while accusing PDP for being responsible for the arson.