Umeh’s suit is a distraction- Ekwunife

 DAVID-CHYDDY ELEKE, Awka

The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial zone, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife has disclosed that the suit filed at the tribunal by her political rival, Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, is affecting the discharge of her legislative functions at the Red Chambers.

Ekwunife was at the tribunal yesterday, where she mounted the witness box to testify in defense of her victory at the polls during the last general election.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the court session, Ekwunife assured her teeming supporters that the matter will end in her favour, saying that she was sure to win at the tribunal. She added that Chief Umeh is even aware of this, but was merely in court to distract her.

“There is no way I will be in court and not be distracted by it from my legislative functions.” Ekwunife said, and added that she was in court on a day when she should be in Abuja discharging her function as a lawmaker.

On whether it was right to let litigations linger even after inauguration of members of the national assembly, Ekwunife said that litigations cannot really be stopped. She said it would have been more ideal for all litigations to be concluded at a stated period of time before inauguration, but because the court is the only way through which politicians ventilate their grievances, it would be impossible to stop.

She said if such was done, then pre-election matters would also constitute distractions and considering that it could go up to the supreme court level, distractions can never really be avoided until politicians imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship that will let them accept defeat without challenging it.

Speaking on her election with Umeh, Ekwunife said she won the former APGA national chairman fair and square and will do so many times over if the election were repeated. She advised Umeh to simply withdraw and wait for the right time to contest again.