--Dismisses withdrawal rumour
The House of Representatives candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rt. Hon. Victor Umoke Aleke has expressed his determination to enthrone true progressive representation in his constituency if emerged victorious on Saturday's poll.
Aleke who made this pledge on Tuesday while briefing journalists at Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital, assured of liberating his constituency from enslavement following his anticipated victory in the forthcoming general election.
"I am determined to liberate the Constituency from enslavement and enthrone true progressive representation and no force will stop it," Aleke said.
Speaking on the alleged withdrawal of his candidature, Aleke, said that it has become mandatory and expedient for him to address the general public by expressing his "disgust and dissatisfaction over the forceful move of some elements to distract us at this peak of our mission."
In his words, "On the 8th of February, 2023, Honorable Chukwuma Nwazunku, approached the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State against me stating that I withdrew from the contest to represent Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency. In our bid to respect the law of the land, I appealed the case in the Court of Appeal.
"In the Court of Appeal, my defence counsel presented the Court with what he called *particulars of Errors,* which came in 4 grounds."
On ground one, he disclosed that the
particulars of errors identified by his counsel included "lack of service of court processes, and hearing notices on a proper party to a suit, amount to a denial of fair hearing and rubs the court of its jurisdictions to hear and determine the suit against such party.
"The trial court erred in law when it heard and determine suit No:FHC/AI/CS/294/2022 without the service of the originating process hearing Notices on the second defendant at the lower court nor the cross-appellant.
"That suit No:FHC/AI/CS/294/2022 was heard and determined in contravention of the doctrine of fair hearing."
He added: "On ground two, the Appeal Court maintained that the learned trial judge erred in law when he made an order directing the INEC to substitute my name with the name of Nwazunku who did not participate in any primary election of the party, monitored by INEC, and outside the time allowed for the substitution of the party candidate.
"On ground three of the appeal, I was made to know that the learned trial judge erred in law when he relied on a purported withdrawal letter with a strange signature, different from my signature as contained in my Nomination forms.
"On ground four, my defence counsel at Appeal Court made it known that the judgement/decision of the Lower Court was altogether unreasonable, perverse and cannot be supported having regard to the weight of evidence. It is noteworthy to state that this matter is still waiting for a hearing at the Appeal Court."
He further disclosed that on the 17th of February 2023, his attention was drawn to the circulating posters of Hon Chukwuma Nwazunku as the candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency under the platform of People's Democratic Party -PDP, however, described Nwazunku's antics as a nothing but distractions as he cleared his grounds on the withdrawal allegation.
"Gentlemen of the press, I like to sound it clear that nobody replaced me as the PDP candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency and the general public, especially my supporters are by this briefing charged to keep working round the clock to ensure that we come out victorious in the pool this Saturday.
"I wish to use this opportunity, to advise Hon Chukwuma Nwazunku, to stop all these inciting attitudes capable of overheating the polity as we approach the Saturday general election," the PDP House of Representatives candidate hinted.
When contacted, Chukwuma Nwazunku described the matter as a mere issue, saying that every effort should be geared towards securing victory for the PDP at the Saturday poll and assured a peaceful settlement at the end.
Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
