Ten Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Imo State have been accused of allegedly forging the signatures of fellow aspirants in order to get the result of the congress cancelled.
Those who allegedly wrote a petition on behalf of former Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Ken Njemanze, which was addressed to the police are Mike Ahamba, Senators Chris Anyanwu and Bright Nwanne, Jude Njoku, Bethel Amadi, Clara Njoku, Charles Onyeagbako, Charles Amanze, Charles Onuoha, and Humphrey Anumudu.
Njemanze is one of the governorship aspirants who claimed that the inclusion of his name in the protest letter written to PDP national headquarters by the coalition led by Anyanwu was done without his consent.
He said he did not sign any document seeking cancellation of the delegates’ list.
“This deplorable forgery, misrepresentation and impersonation of Ken Njemanze is criminal and extremely dangerous especially in these sensitive political times when truth, honesty and credibility are paramount considerations in the quest for holding political and public offices.
“We are thus compelled and constrained to urgently seek your immediate investigation of this criminal infringement to address this scourge before the law and decency become extinct.”
Njemanze said those who aspire to occupy the office of governor should not be involved in forgery.
However, a lawyer based in Owerri, Shed Anyalewechi, said a case of alleged forgery is enough grounds for a political party to disqualify an aspirant, since “it remains an allegation until it is proved by the person who alleged the case of forgery.”
Everest Ezihe, media aide to Anyanwu, told TheNiche that she and the coalition of governorship aspirants are willing to meet Njemanze in court, describing the allegation as baseless.
The coalition had written a letter to PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, against the result of the congress held November 1, 2014 and demanded its cancellation.
The letter said as at 3pm on the day of the congress, members of election panel, party officials, and aspirants were still at state party headquarters to resolve issues relating to council returning officers and supervisors.
“Given the lateness, it was suggested that the congress be rescheduled but the panel rejected the suggestion.
“Rather a governorship aspirant colluded with the electoral panel sent to Imo State from the national headquarters to totally disenfranchise the PDP electorate in Imo State. Results were written in several homes and hotel rooms of aspirants.
“We most respectively request this exercise be cancelled and a new one conducted in a transparent manner”, the letter added.