By Goodluck Ikiebe
A Community based human rights group, Igwebuike Peace Initiatives, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over attempt to sumuggle Hon. Livinus Makwe as the Candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo federal constitutency in the 2023 election.
The Group in a statement issued Wednesday by its spokesperson, Mr Udemba Edwin, states that Hon. Makwe, who currently represents the constitutency in the National assembly participated in the primary election of the PDP held on 28th May, 2022, where he came second with 33 votes while the winner of the Election, Hon. Obasi Jerry Okechukwu, got 64 votes.
It wondered the rationale behind the moves to bring him as the Candidate of the party against the original winner, Hon. Jerry Obasi, explaining that date and time for substitution of National Assembly Candidates have elapsed since 15th July, 2022.
Confirming the group's petition to INEC, Udemba Edwin, explained that Hon. Livinus Makwe is not a Candidate of PDP for the Ohanivo Federal Constitutency election though he contested the PDP national assembly primaries held on 28th May, 2022.
He came a distant second behind the eventual winner, Hon. Jerry Obasi Okechukwu from Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area.
"Interestingly, there was no complaints or case against Hon.Jerry Obasi Okechukwu candidacy nor any Court of competent jurisdiction nullifying his victory. Hon Obasi Jerry Okechukwu has not withdrawn from the race. He is very much alive and not dead as envisaged by the Electoral Act 2022"
"The name of Hon. Jerry Obasi Okechukwu was published by INEC both in the first publication of names for presidential and parliamentary elections and the final list recently.
And it is on record that the time for substitution of candidates as approved in the Electoral Act has since elapsed"
"Therefore, while Hon. Jerry Obasi Okechukwu is the authentic candidate of PDP Hon. Livinus Makwe is a complete imposter. And impersonation is an offense. We have chosen to stand up against impunity in Ohanivo.
"Our electoral processes are governed by laws", He stated.
Our Checks revealed that both Hon. Livinus Makwe and Hon. Jerry Obasi participated in the Party's primary election held on 28th May 2022 with Hon. Makwe coming second with 33 votes and the latter with a lead of 64 votes.
An INEC report sited confirmed that Obasi Jerry Okechukwu emerged Candidate "there was no challenges or violence recorded and the Candidate elected is Obasi Jerry Okechukwu, the Ohaozara, Onicha/Ivo federal constitutency primaries was peaceful, free and fair" the report read.
The INEC publication of names of candidates recently carried the name of Hon. Obasi as the Candidate of the party, an issue that has left the group to worry about attempt for what they described as a midnight robbery and affront to Electoral laws.
"The use of the Court to thwart the will of the people will be resisted and beside, the time to bring such actions elapsed on 13th of June, 2022, 14days after the said primary is held", the group concluded.
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