…Claims Impersonation, Lodges Complaint with Police and DSS
Ifeanyi Igbokwe, the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) for the Bende federal constituency in Abia State during the February 2023 general elections, has distanced himself from the contentious efforts to challenge the legitimacy of Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu’s mandate. The challenge was lodged at the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State.
Speaking during a radio program in Umuahia after formally requesting the tribunal to withdraw his participation, Igbokwe expressed astonishment that an individual had employed his name in initiating legal proceedings against Kalu.
Igbokwe disclosed that he had been victim to impersonation by an unidentified person at the tribunal, asserting vehemently that he neither initiated nor sanctioned any legal actions against the deputy speaker.
He revealed that he has communicated with both the Police and the Department of State Service (DSS) to investigate and unmask the perpetrators, including the legal representatives involved. Igbokwe contended that whoever engaged the lawyers was also culpable in orchestrating the impersonation.
Consequently, this development has placed Frank Chinasa, the Labour Party candidate in the same election, in a predicament, isolating him in his pursuit since he did not contest Kalu’s electoral triumph.
Chinasa’s argument merely centered around the legality of Kalu’s name change process, a matter that had been previously adjudicated in favor of the deputy speaker in 2020 by the Honorable Justice A. O Chijioke of the Abia State High Court in Umuahia, when it was initially presented by Okey Ezeala.
The court’s ruling remains in force, unchallenged through an appeal.
In his radio statement, Igbokwe recounted, “I was at home, sipping my tea and catching up on the news, when I received a call informing me of a court case against Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. It was a surprise, hearing about a case involving me in my constituency. I had conceded to the election results, accepted my defeat, and surrendered to the will of God.”
“Now, to my astonishment, there is someone representing me. This poster, this voter’s card, and this party card are mine. So, how can someone stand in for me without my knowledge? Even my lawyer is equally bewildered. When we learned about this, we were taken aback! Rt. Hon. Ben, whom we all celebrated for his new role, is like a brother from Bende. Why would I turn against my own kin?”
“We’ve taken legal action, filed affidavits, and we are reaching out to the DSS and the IG of Police. I’m determined to identify the person impersonating me. My priority is to clear my name. I want to reassure the people of Abia State and Bende that I acknowledge my defeat, and I want Deputy Speaker to know I’m not in opposition to him. I don’t know the impersonator, but I will unveil them and return to update you all,” he affirmed.
