Tension in Abia as Ikpeazu, Ogah know fate tomorrow

www.odogwublog.com reports that there is tension in Abia state as the Supreme Court is expected to deliver judgment in the governorship tussle between Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, and Dr. Uche Ogah Wednesday.

Ogah who came second in the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) governorship primaries in 2015 had gone to court to challenge Ikpeazu's emergence, alleging that he defaulted in his tax payments.

Earlier in the year Ogah won the suit in an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang which ordered Ikpeazu to immediately vacate the governorship stool.

Justice Abang also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) to issue Certificate of Return to Ogah.

But Ikpeazu secured an injunction from Abia High Court in Osisioma to stall Ogah's swearing in, and subsequently headed for the apex court to upturn Justice Abang's ruling.

After months of legal fireworks, the Supreme Court is expected to decide the fate of both men tomorrow after the adoption of the submissions by their legal teams.
 
This is coming as the state Police Command has assured of its readiness to maintain law and order in the state irrespective of which side the judgment goes.

The Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Mr. Ogbonna Nta told our correspondent that the police were " 100 per cent ready " to contain whatever situation that might arise from the judgment.

He said the police were fully ready to ensure the peace and security of the state at all times, assuring residents to go about their lawful business without panicking.

Ikpeazu had also fought legal battles with the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA), Dr. Alex Oti immediately after the 2015 election.

He defeated Oti at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia but lost to him at the Appeal tribunal in Owerri on December 31, 2015.

He later reclaimed his mandate at  the Supreme Court in 2016 only to be challenged by Chief Friday Nwosu, one of the contenders at the PDP primaries.

But should the supreme court ruling today go in his favour, it will ultimately put to rest all legal battles arising from his election and give him the needed time to concentrate on governance in the remaining two years and five months of his first tenure.