Date Published: 07/20/11

ACN Candidate withdraws petition against Senator Abe

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in the April 9 Senatorial election for the Rivers South East,Dr. Nomate Kpea, has withdrawn his petition against the conduct of the election from the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Port Harcourt.

Dr. Kpea had challenged the victory of Senator Magnus Ngei Abe of PDP.

Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, today, on his decision, Dr.kpea, said he withdrew to further strengthen the unity of Ogoniland and the district in general.

“There is no need for Senator Abe and myself to be fighting and tearing each other apart. We are brothers; we are from Gokana Local Government Area; we are neighbours; we are Christians”.

He said the need to work together is predicated on addressing the abject poverty, unemployment and restiveness of youths in the district for which he is convinced that Senator Abe is capable of addressing.

Furthermore the ACN candidate stated that the withdrawal of the petition would provide the basis for himself and Senator Abe to address the lack of industries and under utilization of natural resources in the area while hoping that the Senator would accept his sincere hand of fellowship.

Answering questions on whether he was financially induced to withdraw the petition, he said there was nothing of such and that his action was based on patriotism.

He thanked his supporters for their understanding adding that elections were not a do or die battle and appealed to other politicians to emulate this.

Reacting on behalf of Senator Abe, Mr. Honour Sirawoo, described the move as a welcome development stressing that Senator Abe is a free minded person with the people’s interest as his cardinal objective.

He assured Dr. Nomate Kpea that the Senator would work with him in the overall interest of the district.

Mr. Sirawoo commended the ACN candidate for withdrawing the petition without any negotiation adding that posterity would not forget this singular action.