Anxiety in Abia as Ikpeazu, Ogah , Oti know fate Friday, tomorrow

www.odogwublog.com reports that anxiety has continued to build  across Abia State as the Supreme Court is set to deliver judgment today on the suit filed by Dr. Uche Ogah against the election of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu.

Ogah who came second at the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) governorship primaries had gone to challenge the eligibility of Ikpeazu as the party's flag bearer alleging that he defaulted in his tax payments.

He had prayed the court to declare him the authentic candidate of PDP at the 2015 election, a prayer granted him by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja last year.

Justice Abang had also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Ogah, an order INEC immediately complied with.

But dissatisfied with the judgment of Justice Abang, Gov. Ikpeazu headed for  the Court of Appeal to appeal the ruling.

He had also obtained an injunction from an Abia High Court sitting at Osisioma division restraining Ogah from being sworn in based on Justice Abang's ruling.

Ikpeazu got a favourable judgement at the Court of Appeal as the appellant court nullified Abang's judgment and affirmed the Governor's election.

Subsequently, Dr. Ogha approached the Supreme Court to upturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA) at the 2015 election, Dr. Alex Otti, had also approached the apex court seeking to be joined in the suit.

He had contended that in the event that the matter is decided in favour of Ogah, he ( Otti)  should be sworn in as the governor as Ogah did not participate in the general election.

After several  months of legal fireworks, the apex court had fixed May 12 for judgment on the protracted governorship tussle which has significantly affected governance in the state.

Authority checks revealed that supporters of the gladiators had resorted to prayers for a favourable outcome.

They have continued to recruit  prayer warriors who have been intensifying prayers in favour of their prefered candidate while churches in the state have also been praying for divine intervention.

As residents and indigenes of the state curiously await for the final outcome  of the legal tussle today, there is an air of uncertainty over which side the pendulum might swing.

Meanwhile, the State Police Command has issued a stern warning to trouble makers to stay away from the state as anyone found engaging in any activity capable of breaching the public peace would be severely dealt with.

Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna told our correspondent in Umuahia that the police were ready to contain the situation.

He said that security had been beefed up across the state as police officers and men had been put on red alert, adding that police are collaborating with other sevurity agencies in the state to ensure there is no break down of law and order.

His words: " We are very much prepared to ensure there is no break down of law and order. We have put in place the necessary machinery and we have directed our DPOs on what to do in their respective areas of operation to ensure peace even after the judgment."

He warned political parties and politicians in state to remember the peace accord they had earlier signed where they pledged not to cause any security breach, saying police will not hesitate to deal with anyone according to the law.

" Politicians should remember the peace pact they signed, nothing equals the peace of the state. Everybody should accept and abide by the outcome of the supreme court judgment.

" Youths should also know that the children of the politicians they want to die for are all abroad enjoying cool life, so why die for them?"


From Steve Oko