By Naomi Sharang

Mr Ifeanyi Igbokwe, Action Alliance (AA) candidate for Bende Federal Constituency of Abia in the Feb. 25, National Assembly elections has denied taking Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu to the tribunal.

Igbokwe told a news conference in Abuja on Sunday that those shopping for a court judgment against Kalu were impersonating him.

He also exonerated Kalu from a report in an online publication, Sahara Reporters that the deputy speaker was behind the call for the arrest of some AA leaders.

Igbokwe, who said that he was impersonated, subsequently called on security agencies to fish out the impersonators and bring them to justice.

“The essence of this press conference is to tell the whole world that I did not file any legal suit at the tribunal to contest the outcome of the Feb. 25 election.

“I have long accepted the victory of Kalu who is now Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“To my greatest chagrin, I have continued to read reports of a legal suit ostensibly filed by me against Kalu,’’ he said.

Igbokwe said he addressed the news conference to say for the umpteenth time that he did not file any legal action against Kalu.

He added that he had also told security agencies that he was being impersonated.

“I hereby emphatically state that I know nothing about the petition at the Court of Appeal.

“It is the handiwork of the same political merchants bent on using my name to procure judgment against the deputy speaker.

“It must be emphasised that I am the only candidate of AA in that election. And if anyone should approach the courts, it should be me.

“Once again, I challenge anyone who says he is Ifeanyi Igbokwe other than me to reveal his true identity and counter my position on this issue,’’ he stressed. (NAN)

Edited by Alli Hakeem