The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Abia State Chapter says it’s attention has been drawn to the alleged desperate attempts by the Abia State Government to use the machinery of the State to harass, intimidate and obstruct the member representing the good people of Aba South State Constituency, Hon. Obinna Ichita, in the Abia State House of Assembly from performing his constitutional and legislative functions as a legislator.
Abia state chairman of APGA, Reverend Augustine Ehimere in a press release said one of these desperate machination is the gross abuse of power by the Abia State Government as witnessed few days ago when the State Government through her agents used one Izuchukwu Onwuchara, a civil servant in the employment of the Abia State Government to secure an interim injunction against Hon. Obinna Ichita.
The court injection recalled restrained Ichita from representing the opinions and interest of his constituents who elected him into office as a legislator.
According to the release, it will be expedient to inform Abians and the whole world that it is very undemocratic and against best democratic practices that the government of Abia State will resort to allegedly influence the judicial arm of the same government to stop the legislature, which is another arm of the government from performing its legislative functions.
APGA however, queries why an ordinary civil servant in Abia State will file a suit on behalf of the State Government when the office of the Attorney General is there as the Chief Law Officer of the State and who is the only constitutionally recognized officer to institute any legal proceedings on behalf of the Government.
Ehimere added that such exhibition of gross abuse of power has further exposed the State Government on her desperation to stifle, strangle and emasculate the voice of opposition in Abia State, which all Abians must resist and condemn.
The release added that it sounds ridiculous that the only reason why the State Government wants to silence Hon. Obinna Ichita is because the Hon. Member has been very consistent in demanding on behalf of his constituents for good governance and dividends of democracy and has consistently queried why the Abia State Government has refused to construct roads in his constituency which includes Obohia, Ngwa Road, Ohanku, Port Harcourt roads etc even when the State Government admitted receiving the funds for the constructions of these roads.
The release read in parts “APGA wants to state here that it is very pathetic that one Vitalis Ibeanu died at Port Harcourt road Aba last week as a result of uncontrollable flood occasioned by the messy and chaotic state of the road and that death is as a result of the insensitivity and thoughtlessness of the government towards the well-being of her citizens, thus the State Government should be held responsible for the death of the young man”.
Ehimere maintained that APGA therefore wants to inform the whole world that the State Government is employing undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional strategies with the sole aim of frustrating Hon. Obinna Ichita, the only APGA voice in the Abia State House of Assembly from performing his constitutional and legislative duties and this is why there is high alleged level conspiracy by the State Government against Obinna Ichita which has now metamorphosed into securing a court order from the High Court of Abia State sitting in Umunneochi restraining him from speaking and representing the people of Aba South, an act which is against all democratic norms and standard.
“Therefore, APGA is calling on members of the press, civil society organizations, human right activists, lawyers, activists for good governance and all lovers of democracy in Abia State and Nigeria to rise up to this challenge in one voice by speaking against the evils and bad governance in Abia State in order to protect, preserve and secure this State for our generations to come”.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, APGA will resist every evil plan to stifle the voice of opposition in the State as opposition remains a veritable tool for the advancement of our democracy and Abia State is not left out.
Long Live APGA!! Long Live Abia State!! Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!”
Signed:
……………………………………..
Rev. Augustine Ehiemere
State Chairman.
