Chief Donatus Nwankpa, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia, has called on the people to remain calm in view of the political tension in the state.
Nwankpa made the call on Saturday while speaking with newsmen in Aba.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, had removed Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of the state.
The court also declared Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner of the April govnership election in the state.
Following the development, members and supporters of PDP and APGA embarked on protests, thereby creating tension in the state.
The chairman described the protests as “mass display of irresponsibility’’ by persons belonging to the two political parties contending for the state governorship seat, adding that it was needless.
Nwankpa urged supporters of PDP and APGA to obey the rule of law by allowing the law to take its course and to depend on the expertise of their legal teams to bring them justice.
On rumours making the rounds in the state that the APC and President Buhari influenced the Appeal Court’s judgment against the PDP, Nwankpa warned originators of such rumours to desist from dragging APC into the matter.
“APC has also expressed its unhappiness over an attempt by some misguided and disgruntled elements to drag the All Progressives Congress (APC) into this drama.
“It is on record that the APC, from the local government to the federal level, has no hand in the outcome or the presumed outcome of the legal process.
“Regarding the Abia Election Petition Tribunal, Court of Appeal Judgment and even the awaited Supreme Court verdict, we are not party to the suit to start with.
“And as such, we urge the parties, APGA and PDP, to concentrate and ask their legal teams to rise up to the challenge of the moment in order to meet the demands of the legal battle now before them at the Supreme Court, which is the highest Court in Nigeria.’’
Nwankpa noted that there was the need to ensure a peaceful environment that would support the state’s economic and infrastructural development. (NAN)
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