Benjamin Kalu of the All Progressive Congress(APC), representing the people of Bende Federal Constituency in the Federal House of representatives, yesterday, July 8th, 2019, appeared before the Election tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State.
Kalu was present at the tribunal following a suit filed by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chima Anyaso, whom he defeated during the last election.
ABACITYBLOG reported that Chima Anyaso is challenging the victory of Hon. Benjamin Kalu over alleged infractions.
However, the respondent, Hon. Benjamin Kalu appeared in person as the court demanded.
Addressing the newsmen after the court session, Hon. Kalu said: “We are following the nine yards of the law that is why I came to honour the invitation of the court and also for me to testify.
“I gave my testimony to the best of my knowledge, and you saw for yourselves, all their questions had answers coming from me and their lawyers were struggling with questions to ask me because you know in law we say truth flows, there is no junction in truth. You cannot manipulate it, if it is true, it is true” Ben Kalu said.
He continued, “I won Chima Anyanso with 3,560 votes that is the truth. How can a man come to court when I won him in his own unit where he casted his vote. I won him with 61 votes, and entire Igbere votes.
“I won him. So, where is he getting his confidence to approach the court when his own immediate family rejected him at the polling unit? We are standing for the truth and that is what will set Bende free.” Hon. Ben Kalu added.
He also revealed that out of the eighteen results from the election, fifteen of them has been certified okay by INEC.
“They are not going to call for re-election because I have won the election, and that is final. We worked so hard, I campaigned morning and night and I am very popular in Bende.” the lawmaker insisted.
On his advise to Bende, the lawmaker said “remain peaceful, not to cause violence, let them be patient. I have confidence in the judiciary. I am also part of the judiciary as a lawyer before I went into lawmaking now. I believe so much in the judiciary.
“When they see the truth, it doesn’t matter how much money you throw around. They will keep to the truth. The people I saw there, I know they will maintain the truth, I know they are here to do their job credibly and am sure Bende people will be happy at the end of this decision.”
