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Anambra: Going to tribunal, waste of time, Soludo tells opposition

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has appealed to opposition candidates contesting the victory of members of the ruling party in the state, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to rest and refocus on something else.

Tribune Online had earlier reported that Election Petitions Tribunal in Anambra State received 31 petitions concerning the February 25 National Assembly elections in the state.

Secretary to the tribunal, Mr. Muazu Bagudu, had told journalists in Awka that 24 of the petitions were on the House of Representatives elections.

However, the elected member representing Soludo’s constituency, Hon Dominic Okafor, is among those whose elections are being contested. Okafir’s election is challenged by the trio of Johnbosco Onunkwo (APC), Andrew Azike (LP), and Kenneth Anyaeche at the tribunal.

Speaking during Okafor’s post-inauguration thanksgiving Mass at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Igboukwu in Aguata Local Government Area on Sunday, Soludo said the people going to court to contest the victory should save their time and rest as the Reps member had been duly chosen by the people of the area.

According to him, “The people that are going to court should rest. They are wasting their time.

“You are the member representing Aguata. For those that went to court, it is their right to go to court, but I am telling them to come back. We have chosen who will represent us. What God has written, he has written.”

Soludo, who congratulated the lawmaker, tasked him to raise the bar by going beyond legislation to seek ways of attracting development to the constituency and the state at large.

He said: “Motion is more like advising the executive. Getting something done requires partnership and cooperation. We can synergise to bring development home.”

The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by a former member of the House of Representatives for Orumba North and South, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, lauded the lawmaker for his many good qualities.

He advised him to explore the path of partnership and collaboration to succeed in serving his people and in attracting quality development to his state.

Earlier, the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, in his sermon, reminded politicians to use their God-given opportunities to improve the lives of the people by rendering quality service to them.

He said: “Let us use this opportunity to close ranks. Let communities come together to build the land. We must make our contributions, and manage our differences. Even if it is not appreciated now, posterity will recognise the efforts.”

Meanwhile, Okafor during his brief remark urged his constituency members to expect quality representation from him.

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