By Eze Nwamadi, Ogbonna Asadu and Ezema Igwenunu

It is really unseenly of Enugu Labour Party and its candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, who failed at the governorship polls in Enugu State to still write INEC to review the result of the Enugu governorship election that took INEC three days to review, halting collation, before coming  out with a new result that saw the reduction of the PDP score in Nkanu East to 16000 votes from 30,000 votes. It came clear that the total number of accredited voters in Nkanu East was 33000, and since that was the case, it follows that there was no case of over-voting at all, contrary to what Labour had alleged. What played out was that INEC discounted the votes that were not transmitted electronically via BVAS. This PDP will contest in court because the fact that those votes were not transmitted electronically did not vitiate the fact that they were really cast votes, since poor network could have hindered their electronic transmission. PDP votes were reduced from 30,350 to 16,956 and Labour raised from 1855 to 1864, an increment by 9 votes. Who should even complain in the first place? The proverbial millipede said that it was surprised it was the person who matched on it that jumped and screamed; whereas, it that was matched upon held its peace.

The fact is that Labour Party in Enugu State and Chijioke Edeoga, its candidate, appear to be childish in their desperate pursuit for inordinate power. When did INEC become the election petition tribunal? Chijioke Edeoga is a lawyer. Has desperation for power robbed him his legal knowledge he would behave like someone who didn't see the four walls of a university. Where is his common sense here? Even a layman knows the right thing to do. Why engage in unnecessary media sensationalism when the tribunal is waiting for his so-called petition. Why then is the sun afraid of shining at night if it was not afraid?

The PDP has kept calm over this, knowing the right procedure to channel its grievances. Labour Party obviously rigged the election at Nsukka Local Government where Nnia Nwodo, General Eze in cahoots with other Generals of Nsukka extraction serving and retired allegedly  sympathetic to Edeoga on grounds of unfounded irredentist politics thought to foist Edeoga on the sit of power in order to satisfy their libidinal quest for Nsukka domination of Enugu politics. They unleashed soldiers on the entire Enugu North Senatorial Zone. The soldiers reportedly intimidated PDP supporters, suppressed voters and helped Labour rig the election at Nsukka. Collation of results was delayed at Nsukka. The soldiers barricaded everywhere and refused to allow PDP members entrance into the collation centre where the election was being rigged in favour of Labour Party. Even the chairman of Nsukka Local Government was refused entrance into the collation centre while Labour Party members had a field day there From the results collated from the various polling units, Labour Party scored 17,000 votes and the PDP 10,000 votes, but from nowhere, 13,000 votes were allocated to Labour Party, revving up the figure to 30,000. The PDP will presents the facts and figures at the tribunal. That is the right thing to do instead of the media hype Labour Party has childishly embarked upon in desperate kick of a dying horse.

The governorship result at Isi-Uzo was also rigged. The PDP has incontrovertible evidence to that. The INEC collation officer and other officials were forced into a bush where the results were rewritten in favour of Labour Party. PDP clearly beat Labour Party in Isi-Uzo, but the election was massively rigged. The PDP is methodical and would not do the dance of shame Edeoga and co are wont to do in the marketplace unashamedly.

Watching Edeoga, Labour Party and  their minions babble incoherently on Arise Television, the video clip which they manipulated to misinform the public that the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had directed that certificate of return should not be issued to Peter Mbah, the governor-elect, one can imagine the crass level of stupidity to which they have degenerated. Where on earth is that ever done? Where did Mahmood tell them that. Tufiakwa! Figments of childish imagination! How can they go this cheap in their scramble for power which eludes them as would their shadows? Peter Ndubuisi Mbah shall be issued his certificate of return as the governor-elect of Enugu State on Wednesday, 29th March, 2023 to the glory of God.

The Enugu PDP is ready to meet Edeoga and his party at the tribunal. There, PDP shall present the tribunal with incontrovertible facts evidencing Peter Mbah's clear defeat of Edeoga. Edeoga has been consistent with foul play of politics. There is no manner of allegation he has not raised against Peter, but they all perished before him. Peter has remained focused and calm and had at no time replied to Edeoga's shenanigans. We live in a civilized society where things are done procedurally. Edeoga's crudity and savage approach to politics is reprehensible. His desperation has remained unfathomable, given that he does not even have the capacity to govern. What then drives him? He wants to be a governor by all means. Ndi Enugu cannot afford to waste four years of their lives on a clueless brat jostling to play Man Friday to a dying and selfish dynasty.

Edeoga and Labour Party should behave themselves, and stop this rascally brigandage. Let them file their case and have the PDP in court. Simple!