Chaos in Abia over the governor’s seat heightened yesterday following the issuance of a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship claimant, Uchechukwu Sampson Ogar. This happened after the disqualification of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu from the office of the governor of the state by an Abuja- based Federal high court for allegedly failing to fulfill requirements expected of a candidate for the governorship.
![Abia](https://fab.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ogar.jpg)
Uchechukwu Sampson Ogar
![Abia](https://fab.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Okezie-Ikpeazu--300x169.jpg)
Okezie Ikpeazu
The INEC action immediately paralyzed activities in the Ikpeazu-controlled Government House in Umuahia, setting anxiety among officials and other stakeholders. Ikpeazu in response, filed and obtained an injunction from an Abia High Court stopping the state chief judge, the president of the Customary Court of Appeal or any other judicial officer from swearing Ogah into office. In a move interpreted by some as keeping Ogah at bay, the Ikpeazu administration declared today and Monday public holidays. The administration said the public holidays were to honour Chief Ojo Maduekwe, who died on Wednesday.
Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu released a statement through his media aid Enyinnaya Appolos urging his supporters to remain calm says “ I am still the governor of Abia State”.
The statement read: “I have received with concern, report of the purported issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as governor of Abia State, despite the pendency of a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the execution of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja,” read the statement.
“Our laws are clear on this matter. No one may be issued with a certificate of return let alone be sworn in as governor, when there is a subsisting appeal and application for stay.
“I want to appeal to Abians to remain calm and law abiding in the face of this provocation. Unless and until the appellant courts have conclusively resolved the appeal, the status quo remains; I am still the Governor of Abia State.”
Source: vanguard.ng, thecable.ng
Photo Credit: nairaland.com, gauardian.ng, vanguard.ng