By Uche Mbah
Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has appealed to Andy Uba, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded Anambra State Governorship election, to stay action on litigation in connection with the just concluded elections.
Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, won the election.
While a number of his co-contestants have congratulated him, Ubah has refused, and in a statement, said he would challenge Soludo in Court.
But in a release signed by Ebiloma Abdullahi, his Special Assistant on media, Metu said the action will be counter productive.
“While Chief Metuh is not contesting the inalienable right of a participant to protest the outcome of any electoral process, however, in the case of this recent Anambra election, such would appear counter-productive and against the overwhelming opinion of Anambarians”, he said.
“Irrespective of any perceived imperfections of that election, the fact that the outcome embodied the verdict of the greater majority of Ndi Anambra is distinctly clear. And having spoken through their votes, the ultimate aspiration of Ndi Anambra at the moment is to leverage on the current outcome to move the state forward along the line of peace, stability and progress.
“That was why in the immediate aftermath of the election, Chief Metuh was actually the very first to congratulate the winner, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo while urging the other candidates to accept the outcome of the polls.
“Though he is not of the APGA but a leading, loyal and committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and extremely proud of the credible and winning campaign ran by the PDP candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, Chief Metuh took that patriotic step as a statesman, in the larger interest of the state.
Chief Metuh expressed happiness that after appealing to the contenders early in the morning and immediately the final results were announced, all the other candidates including that of his party, the PDP listened to his passionate plea and immediately congratulated the governor-elect, pledging to work with him to move the state forward.
“Ndi Anambra yearn for a stable state government that will focus all its energy on the developmental needs of the state without any form of distractions and encumbrances such as electoral litigations.
“It is against this backdrop that Chief Metuh makes a special personal appeal to Senator Andy Uba, as a leader, to therefore rescind any decision rejecting the results and setting the stage an electoral legal tussle, as such would detract the government, stagnate the state and lead to avoidable tension and division in Anambra.
“Indeed, Chief Metuh firmly believes that Senator Andy Uba decided to run for the governorship of Anambra because he means well for the people and not for any personal aggrandizement.
“Moreover, Senator Uba is eminently qualified and he ran a very robust campaign that even made it possible for the APC, despite its unpopularity, to have a mention in the electoral process in Anambra.
“Senator Andy Uba is an illustrious son of Anambra who has attained lofty heights including serving as Senior Special Assistant to the President, elected as state governor, two-time senator of the Federal Republic as well as enviable accomplishments in business and social life. So, there is no doubt that he means well for Anambra state.
“Senator Andy Uba as a person might not need anything in Anambra, but there are millions of Ndi Anambra that depend on and yearn for stability and development for survival
“Chief Metuh therefore pleads with him as a leader to, in the interest, wellbeing and development of Ndi Anambra, sheathe his sword and allow wise counsel to prevail on him by accepting the verdict of the election and joining hands with other leaders to move the state forward.
Metuh restated his previous call on the governor-elect, Prof. Soludo, to run an all-inclusive and transparent administration that will efficiently galvanize and harness the best hands that will enable Anambra to achieve its full potentials to the benefit of her people.”
