Barely three weeks to the rerun poll ordered by the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, for Abia North Senatorial district, Chief (Dr.) David Onuoha-Bourdex, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), candidate in the election, has urged his Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), counterpart, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, to exercise caution in his methods.
Onuoha-Bourdex stated that the fact that “evidence abound in Abia North Senatorial district that I am the candidate to beat in the forthcoming rerun,” should not warrant that “these devious methods should be employed to deny me victory again.”
In a letter dated February 5, 2016 and addressed to Kalu, Onuoha-Bourdex urged the former Abia State governor to “desist from practices that could cause confusion, undermine transparency or precipitate crisis in the senatorial zone.”
The APGA senatorial candidate informed Kalu that the idea of superimposing APGA logo on his campaign posters was in bad taste, pointing out that not only would the unwholesome practice confuse voters but give the impression that he (Kalu) is running on two platforms of APGA and PPA.
While urging the PPA candidate to exercise caution and show less desperation for the senatorial election, Onuoha-Bourdex reminded Kalu that “as leaders we should endeavour to leave good examples for the younger generation.”
Further, the APGA candidate informed Kalu that the era of winning elections by hook or crook is gone, pointing out that “we have to remember that these young ones are watching us and do only those things that would encourage them to toe the path of moral rectitude, honesty and good conscience.”
Part of the letter read: “My dear brother, Orji Uzor Kalu; I feel constrained to write you this letter, after noticing a series of unethical conducts from your campaign organization. Not long ago a malicious rumour was engineered and spread through news outlets owned by you to the effect that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has disqualified APGA from the rerun election ordered by the Appeal Court.
“In that particular report, which violated all known standards of balanced reporting, the reporter failed to inform readers how, why and through what means INEC communicated the so-called disqualification. As if that was not enough, your supporters went to town announcing to our people that all candidates including my humble self have stepped down for you.
“And as if the only effective strategy open to the campaign organization was subterfuge and public deception, campaign posters with your picture and party symbol had the APGA logo superimposed on them, were posted on various public places around the senatorial district.
“Now, your Excellency, I do not expect that after eight years in office as governor of this God’s own state, you should allow your aides to descend so low in adopting such desperate tactics for a mere senatorial seat. I have therefore decided to point out these anomalous developments to you so that at least you could rein in your supporters and ensure that you show them good examples through honesty and integrity.”
Onuoha-Bourdex further reminded his PPA counterpart that the current fight against corruption should involve all stakeholders, adding that political corruption has been found to be at the root of other forms of graft.
“Abia North Senatorial district and Abia State in general deserve a new lease of life devoid of politics of brinkmanship, thuggery, subterfuge and unethical practices. After seventeen years of democracy, our state should be encouraged to mature into full adulthood and weaned from the childish pranks of yesteryears,” he further stated.
Comments