A former Chairman of Arochukwu Local Government Area, Chief Amah Abraham, has cautioned Senator Orji Kalu of Abia North senatorial district to stop intimidating people from zone with his security aids
He spoke on the heels of Kalu's recent outing to Arochukwu where he was reportedly escorted to the by over 70 security personnel comprising army, police, DSS, civil defense, Road safety officials and local vigilante boys.
Kalu represented his wife at a fund -raise event by Arochukwu women group last Saturday at Obinkita Arochukwu but the intimidating presence of security operatives in his company has sparked outrage by the people.
Worried by the development, Abraham said Kalu was only trying to instil fear in the people ahead of a possible supplementary poll between him and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa as ruled by the Election Petitions tribunal sitting in Umuahia.
Recall that the Justice Cornelius Adebayo -led panel had invalidated Kalu's election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to organise a supplementary poll between him and Ohuabunwa within 90 days.
The All Progressive Congress, APC candidate has however appealed the tribunal judgement.
Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia, Abraham faulted Kalu's decision to visit Arochukwu with a large number of armed security personnel, saying the action was suspicious.
He accused Kalu of plotting to intimidate voters in Arochukwu where the greater chuck of affected wards and polling units for the exercise domicile.
Results in eight out of the 11 electoral wards in Arochukwu were cancelled in the February 23rd election, and are involved in the exercise if the Appeal Court upholds the tribunal's judgement.
According to the former Council boss , it is suspicious and provocative for Kalu to visit Arochukwu the home of his opponent with such intimidating number of security personnel.
He said, " What does Kalu intend to achieve by visiting Arochukwu with over 70 security personnel? We know his antics as a show man who always tries to overate himself.
"He should be reminded that intimidation will not work for him this time. Aro Oke Igbo is ready for him and he will be disappointed.
"The people are resolute to recover their stole mandate and ready to pay whatever price that is required. So, no amount of intimidation or showmanship can stop them ".
The former Council boss also called on the Service Chiefs to monitor the activities of their officers in the state to avoid abuse.
He further warned against any plot to use security agents to rig the forthcoming supplementary election, saying such move will be vigorously resisted by the people.
He wondered why over 70 security personnel should be assigned to one man "in a country with limited security man power for the citizenry."
" I'm yet to read the section of our constitution that says army should become security aides to senators or lawmakers. This abuse must stop. Security agents should stop being used as instruments of terror in the hands of politicians.
"Not even Mr President moves around with such number of security personnel let alone a senator whose mandate is still a subject of litigation.
Amah added that "Abia North has remained peaceful and should not be militarised", adding that "if Kalu is holding a valid mandate he should not be jittery".
"No people-elected lawmaker needs military escort to visit his constituents", he added.
But when contacted the media aid to Kalu, Mr Maduka Okoro, dismissed the warning by Abraham as a mere antics of a politician who was seek relevance.
He said Abraham was not present at the fund raise event and therefore could not make Valid statement on what happened during the event.
Okoro, pointed out that Kalu was received and entertained by the Arochukwu people irrespective of their political affiliations.
He added that Kalu was more concerned with attracting development projects to people of the zone than intimidating anybody with security aids.
He said, "Abraham was not present at the event and he is only making the statement to poison the minds of the people against the senator representing Abai North.
" Kalu does not intimidate people but he has an intimidating presence that makes his opponents afraid when however he appears".
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