By Cajetan Mmuta
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), for the forthcoming November 6 governorship election in Anambra state, Chief Valentine Ozigbo on Tuesday expressed optimism in the judiciary to adjudicate without any bias, to deliver justice in his favour in the suit brought before it by a factional candidate in the party’s primary election, Dr Ugochukwu Uba.

Ozigbo in response to a protest by a group of members of the Peoples Democratic Party under the aegis of Independent Leaders Forum against the presiding judge, Honourable Justice Obiorah Nwabunike who earlier on July 5 based on an expert application by Uba restrained Chief Ozigbo from parading himself as the candidate of the PDP for the governorship election, declared that he had confidence in Justice Obiora to deliver justice in the case.

He also urged the protesters to remain calm.

According to a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Ephraim Adiele, the PDP Candidate also appealed to the protesters to stop accusing one of the billionaire industrialists in the state, Chief Cletus Ibeto of allegedly sponsoring Uba, describing Chief Ibeto as “renowned industrial icon and illustrious son” of the state.

“Mr Ozigbo wishes to state that while he appreciates the place of protests in a democracy, the frustration of the said protesters as with the majority of the peace-loving people of Anambra State over the needless but sadly often recurring legal brickbats emanating from Senator Ugochukwu Uba, as well as, their solidarity toward the PDP, whose mandate the Party entrusts with him, he believes that the judicial system is rugged enough to do justice to the matter.”

“Ozigbo, a nationally recognized peace advocate, calls for calm among Ndi Anambra and the discontinuance of any further protests, as well as an end to the victimisation of respected members of the judiciary like Honourable Justice Obiorah, whom by virtue of their esteemed offices and sworn duties to humanity must entertain all suits brought to their Courts”, the statement partly read.”

This is as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, also on Tuesday attacked PDP in the state over the protest describing the action as an attempt to intimidate the presiding judge, and, therefore ” aberration too many” on the part of PDP.

Publicity Secretary of APC in the state, Mr Okelo Madukaife in a statement made available to newsmen in Awka the state capital stated that “the invasion of a court promises by an obviously sponsored mob yesterday July 12, 2021, to intimidate a judge to decide one way or another is one PDP aberration too many. Anambra State has had it to the teeth in history.

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He said, “Those contracted demonstrators were funded by somebody and those who run with the hare and chase with the hounds cannot be trusted with power.”

“PDP is not the only party that has issues arising from the primaries, yet PDP will be the first to make one more attempt to collapse the state on that account”, Nadukaife stated further.”

The APC spokesman said rather than employing an action tantamount to intimidation, those who were aggrieved “based on the conduct of any judge have the National Judicial Council (NJC) to look towards in ventilating such grievances”.