PDP WILL EXPLORE LEGAL MEANS ON DIBIAGWU'S SWEARING-IN — AKOBUNDU

By NBF News

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will explore legal means to ensure Chief Eugene Dibiagwu, is sworn-in as the representative of Oguta Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly .

Dibiagwu candidate of PDP emerged winner of Oguta assembly poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Aug.11, 2012, but his swearing in had been call off  on two occasions.

Chief Austin Akobundu, the Vice Chairman, PDP South/East, who made the position of the party known in a chat with newsmen in Umuahia on Tuesday, described the refusal to swear-in the assembly member-elect as `lawless'.

“What is going on in Imo State can be best described as an aggregate of lawless activities within that government, because the honourable member has been given a certificate of return by INEC, the election was properly conducted, free, fair and without violence.

“It beats my imagination why the speaker of Imo State House of Assembly will be playing hide and seek game over the swearing-in of a duly elected representative for Oguta state constituency,'' he said.

Akobundu added that as a law abiding party, that PDP will not over-heat the polity to ensure its party member is sworn-in by the Imo State Assembly.

“We will explore all legal means to ensure Dibiagwu is sworn-in without over-heating the polity. Our appeal to Oguta people and members of PDP is to be calm because we are addressing the matter procedurally,'' he said.

The PDP official said the party had assembled its legal team to look into the reasons adduced by the All Progressive Grand Alliance-led Imo state government on the matter.

He advised Oguta people to be calm on the matter, adding “PDP National Executive Council is aware of everything going on and we know that Oguta people are law abiding constituency”.

“We are aware it was due to provocation that led to the protest held in Owerri by Oguta people on Aug. 22 and the party shall do all to ensure the grievances of the people are addressed through the appropriate channels,” he said.

NAN gathered that APGA had approached an Owerri High Court presided over by vacation Judge Mr Ngozi Opara on Aug.16 for an injunction restraining the Imo Speaker, Mr Ben Uwajumogu from swearing-in Dibiagwu on Aug.22.

APGA claimed there was a pending court matter before INEC conducted the Aug.11 election and thereafter issued certificate of return to Dibiagwu.

But Mr Francis Uyimadu, counsel to Dibiagwu told NAN that his client was not aware of any pending matter in court before and after the election of Aug.11.

“The Monday June 25, 2012 ruling of a Federal Court of Appeal in Owerri  put to rest all pending matters on Oguta state constituency election and INEC on the order of the court conducted fresh election in four remaining wards in Oguta.

“It is surprising to experience the type of game being played using the most reversed judiciary by the Imo State and it is most unfortunate,'' Uyimadu said.   (NAN)