The alleged scheming by Governor Theodore Orji to foist his son, Chinedu, as a member, and possibly Speaker, of Abia State House of Assembly in 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have hit the rocks following the disqualification of the aspirant (Chinedu) by the party’s assembly screening appeal panel.

The panel, which recommended the disqualification of the governor’s son, comprised Augustus Mbanali (Chairman), Emmanuel Ogunsalu (member) and Emeka Odenigwe (member/secretary).

It arrived Umuahia, the state capital, on November 10 on the strength of petitions against clearance and disqualification of some aspirants for state assembly primaries.

Among the reasons for the disqualification of Orji junior who is gunning for Umuahia central state constituency, was the allegation of being a member of a secret society, the Black Axe Confraternity.

A confessed member of the society in Umuahia, had identified Chinedu as not only a fellow member, but actually the Capo (Head) of the cult.

The panel thus held that the petition against the aspirant which bordered on “being an identified member and head of a secret society, was too grievous to be ignored due to the combined effects of Part VI, Section 33 of the guidelines of the party primaries and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

Chinedu, who bears the nickname Ikuku, was also disqualified for shunning the state screening committee of the party which sat at its Finbar Road State Secretariat between November 6 and 7, 2014.

The panel viewed his non-appearance at the sitting as amounting to nonchalance, disrespect to the party and abuse of privileges.

It also regretted that though Chinedu did not present himself before the state’s screening committee, “he somehow managed to get his clearance surreptitiously and through means other than approved processes of the guidelines”.

It therefore recommended his disqualification, firstly, based on the code of conduct of a member of the party by virtue of Chapter 3, Part 1 of PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended). Section 10 (F) of PDP constitution provides that “...a party member shall observe discipline, behave honestly and carry out loyally all decisions of the majority and decisions of the higher organs of the party.”

It interpreted Chinedu’s non-appearance before the screening committee as bordering on gross misconduct. Chieftains of the party who spoke to our reporter, hailed Chinedu’s disqualification, describing it as a step in the right direction.

An official of the party who pleaded anonymity, told our reporter that “allowing Ikuku (Chinedu) to get away with these grievous allegations, would amount to elevating impunity to a suffocating height.”

Other cases handled by the appeal panel included the petition against clearance of Mrs. Nkemdirim Iheasimuo (Aba South), who it disqualified for forgery and false declaration of age. It also disqualified Chikwendu Kalu (Isiala Ngwa South) for fraud and gross acts of dishonesty.

The aspirant had earlier been indicted by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on infamous conduct in course of his performance as legal practitioner.

It however absolved Eze Chikamnayo (Umunneochi) of embezzlement allegation against him.

•Text courtesy of THISDAY. Photo shows Chinedu Orji a.k.a Ikuku.

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