The Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Abia and the Supreme Council of
Ukwa-Ngwa Youths have thrown their weight behind Gov. Okezie
Ikpeazu, following the ongoing leadership tussle in Abia State.
Addressing newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, the Chairman of
the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Abia State, Eze Onuoha ,
alongside the Secretary Prince Iroha and other principal officers of the
group noted that it received with dismay the news of the action of the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue a Certificate
of Return to Uche Ogah, when there was an appeal and stay of
execution received by the commission.
The Group argued among other things that the Federal High lacked the
capacity to unseat a sitting Governor according to section 31(6)of the
electoral act, 2010. That the Governor was not given fair hearing and
the issuing authority have not declared the certificate forged.
They maintained that the INEC CF001 form which the judge relied on,
was not a qualification to contest for PDP primary elections. It noted
with dismay that the tax receipt which was said to have been issued on a
Saturday, which the court relied on and described as forged was not,
because according to public holiday acts of the country, everyday is a
working day apart from days set aside by the government as public
holidays.
The Group therefore, called on relevant authorities to begin
investigations into what went wrong, while asking President Muhammadu
Buhari to beam his searchlight at the electoral umpire.
The Civil Society Coalition of Nigeria, however, insists that Dr. Okezie
Ikpeazu remains Abia Governor, pending the determination of the notice.
Also, the Supreme Council of Ukwa-Ngwa Youths in a communiqué jointly
signed by its National Officers said it would make Abia ungovernable
should the civilian coup of the enemies of the state prevail.
Speaking through its Chairman, Nna Okadigbo the council described as a
rape of democracy the hasty issuance of Certificate of Return to Uche
Ogah, and said it would vehemently oppose that by whatever means
possible.
They Council emphasized that the Abia Charter of Equity and PDP’s
zoning pattern must be upheld at all cost.
They stated in clear terms that the security and Safety of oil and gas
facilities, staff of the operational joint venture companies in Ukwa-
Ngwa can no longer be guaranteed if the court goes ahead to swear in
Uche Ogah as the Governor of the State.
While passing a vote of confidence on the Okezie Ikpeazu led
administration, the Supreme Council of Ukwa-Ngwa Youths assured the
Governor of their unalloyed support, while describing his mandate as
freely given.
They vowed to defend the mandate of Ikpeazu with the last drop of
their blood.
