The Abia State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has said it cannot stampede the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through media warfare over allegation of fraud against a former governor of the state Theodore Orji and his son Chinedum Orji who is also the Speaker of the state assembly.

The party’s reaction was prompted by a report that a chieftain of the party in the state, Amobi Ogah, had called for the resignation of the state executive of the party.

Ogah said the call has become necessary since the state EXCO could not play the role of active opposition in the state.

However, the state APC chairman, Donatus Nwankpa said:

“We cannot undermine and jeopardize investigation through exhibition of “infantile radicalism” by mobilizing and then, before you know it, they go into hasty judgment.”

Nwankpa further said:

“Yes, we read on paper and APC is still waiting for the official pronouncement of the EFCC and APC is the government that occupies the centre. We cannot be among the said opposition that undermines the principles of separation of powers and the principles of true democracy as preached by President Muhammadu Buhari. “Justice hastened is justice miscarried”, while “justice delayed is justice denied”.

“What we have been waiting for is the official response of EFCC. This is because, this is an investigative level and the paper said “from the authoritative source”. We are not doubting the authenticity of the report, but we want to get it directly from the body that is statutorily given that responsibility.

“After this, we also want to believe that the next step is prosecution and that is why I said “justice delayed is justice denied” and “justice hastened is justice miscarried”.

“APC is not an opposition that is characterized by infantile radicalism. It is a responsible party, a party that respects all institutions of government and all arms of government.

“It is not a government that is built around speculation, but a government that is very much against the exhibition of juvenile exuberance.

“When APC takes this matter (up), before you know it, it will be politicized and people will think that we want to defeat our opponents through the back door when we know that Abia is already conquered by the APC, come 2023.

“Nobody in PDP is a problem to APC, come 2023. APC started slowly in 2015 and by 2019, we have made a giant stride and by 2023, APC by the grace of God and the will of the people, will take over the state.

“For that, we don’t need to hit below the belt, but what we know is that we are waiting for the EFCC to do its duty. We will not dictate for them, but what we know is that EFCC has a time limit to do their job and they will not keep Nigerians waiting”.

The state party chair continued:

“EFCC is administered by responsible persons. They are selected people of integrity, impeccable character, people with conscience and dexterity to work, and people who are committed.

“There is a statement we will make, the same people who are saying APC did not, will say that the party is using EFCC for politics. We want to avoid that.

“What we want is let the law take its course and we want independent, objective and professional investigation in this matter and whoever is found culpable should be brought to book.”

Ogah’s anger is alleged to be against the party’s inability to come out with a press statement, ever since the rage of fraud allegation in the state, and was said to have stated that if the party cannot rise up to the occasion and play its role very well, the executive of the party should have no other option than to resign honourably.

According to the report, Ogah, who is the younger brother to the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah and who confirmed to this reporter his statement, was credited as saying that this has become imperative in order to make the opposition party to be alive to its responsibilities to the people, adding that the time to act is now.