The deputy gubernatorial candidate of Accord party in Abia State, Prince Okpere Udo has been handed a 24 hour deadline to renounce and recant his decision to quit his role as the running mate of Bishop Emeka Nwankpa in the party’s gubernatorial race in the State.
The directive was contained in a legal document served by the legal consultants of the Accord Party on March 13, 2023.
Reports have it that Prince Okpere Udo had on March 3, 2023 withdrew his candidacy as the deputy candidate of the Accord Party in Abia State and also accused to have switched camp to drum support for the gubernatorial bid of Dr Alex Otti, the guber candidate of Labour Party.
The directive by the party’s legal team also states that their “client shall at any time hereafter or at the conclusion of the gubernatorial elections in Abia State institute legal actions against Prince Okpere Udo, seeking legal redress and award of substantial and punitive damages for the negative repercussions of your above stated illegal, subversive and anti-democratic actions against the great party Accord”.
The legal team also acknowledges the fact that Prince Okpere Udo has the right of Association as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vis-a-vis his membership of party ‘Accord’ but outrightly rejects Prince Okpere Udo’ “purported withdrawal as the Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate of the party Accord.” The act was described as “same was done in gross violation of the mandatory provisions of Section 31 of the Electoral Act,2022.”
Read the full statement below;
Sir,
THE ISSUE OF YOUR WITHDRAWAL OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP OF THE PARTY ‘ACCORD’ AND YOUR PURPORTED WITHDRAWAL/RESIGNATION AS THE DEPUTY GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE OF THE PARTY ‘ACCORD’.
We have been briefed and our services retained by the party ‘Accord’ (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”) and it is on her express consent and instructions that we cause this letter to you.
Our Client had informed us and we verily believe that you had via your letter dated 3rd March 2023 notified it through her Abia State Chairman of your, ‘Membership Resignation/Withdrawal from Elective of Deputy Gubernatorial candiadate the Party Accord in Abia State.
Our Client respects and recognizes your constitutional right to Freedom of Association as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vis-a-vis your membership of party ‘Accord’.
Our Client is also privy to and not unaware of the widespread news circulating in the print and electronic media wherein you denounced the great Party Accord, purportedly renounced your position as deputy Gubernatorial Candidate of Accord and pronouncing your decision to join the ‘Labour Party’ and the campaign of its Gubernatorial Candidate Chief. Dr. Alex Otti.
Nevertheless our client has serious reservation and objection as it affects your purported withdrawal as Deputy Governorship candidate as same was done in bad faith and amounts to a compromised deliberate and calculated attempt to scuttle and jeopardize the Gubernatorial candidature and prospects of Accord Party in the imminent forthcoming Gubernatorial elections in Abia State.
Our Client outrightly rejects your purported withdrawal as the Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate of the party Accord as same was done in gross violation of the mandatory provisions of Section 31 of the Electoral Act,2022 which provisions thereof you are presumed to be fully cognizance of.
Consequently our client in conjunction with her Gubernatorial candidate Bishop Amb. Emeka Nwankpa hereby rejects your purported withdrawal as running mate to the latter as same runs contrary to the mandatory provisions of Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and is thus null and void.
We are hereby giving you a deadline of 24 hours commencing from the date and time of your receipt of this letter within which you are mandatorily required to renounce and recant your above stated letter dated 3rd March 2023, and on your failure to do so, our Client shall at any time hereafter or at the conclusion of the gubernatorial elections in Abia State institute legal actions against you seeking legal redress and award of substantial and punitive damages for the negative repercussions of your above stated illegal, subversive and anti-democratic actions against the great party Accord.
You have been duly put on notice.
Thanks.
Yours faithfully.
EDOZIE IKENNA
Ikenna Edozie Esq.
BATION NIGERIAN NBA
Cc: (1). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
(2) The Labour Party Abia State Chapter.
(3) The Director General Chief. Dr. Alex Otti Campaign Organisation.
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