AAC Guber Candidate Rejects Results, says she’s Not Interested in Soludo’s Appointment

By Praise Chinecherem

Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Chioma Ifemeludike on Saturday restated her position on rejection of the just concluded governorship election in Anambra state.

She insisted the process was not just marred by widespread irregularities and violations of established electoral procedures, but riddled with alarming rate of vote buying.

Addressing newsmen on post election luncheon to celebrate her galant 292 voters, media supporters and friends, Ifemeludike said it would be hypocrisy of her to congratulate winner of the poll, Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

She added that if the reason for congratulating the governor as several of her fellow contestants over perceived appointment from him, she was not interested.

She said, “My party had earlier issued statement that the election was marred with irregularities, especially massive vote buying.

“This is unacceptable. No matter how much you want to sweep it under the carpet, that manace was magnified on the election day.

“I’ll be a hypocrite to comfortably send a congratulatory message to the governor. Even if my mouth says it, what does my heart say?

“I’m not interested in any appointments. I’m rather interested and seek the respect and dignity of our people.

“We should be worried about social structure of those old men and women who sacrificed to exercise their franchise.

“What happened on Saturday was criminalization of people’s conscience which doesn’t align with my principles and that of my party.

“What happened on November 8 will hunt us in the coming years. I saw children celebrating as if they’re celebration their fathers’ funerals.

“Beyond money, we must consider the future of our people. I’ve been asking, who invested the money for the vote buying and on whose interest?

“The amount of money invested in the exercise in the name of vote buying is alarming. Who will pay back in the next four to ten years?

“The implications is, If you encourage vote buying today, another governor and another party will amplify it.This is not about congratulations but accountability.”

On her next political move, the AAC flagbearer said her next step would be determined after the forthcoming Congress of her party.

“There are lots to reflect on. We’ll consider the party interest, which I pledge my loyalty to. We’ll decide the next move during our next Congress where the new leadership will be elected.

“We don’t have any plans to go to court. If at all we’ll consider any legal action, we’re not going to initiate it. Besides, we don’t trust in the legal system to deliver justice. It’s one thing to go to court, it’s another thing to get justice.

“We’re going to work with other organizations to demand justice and accountability. We will continue to engage stakeholders at the grassroots.

“The paradigm shift must start with revolutionalizing the mindsets of our people,” she added.