TVC E. The leaders including former Senate president, Adolphus Wabara, former governor of Abia state, Theodore Orji and former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor have said they would rather support embattled Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Ikpeazu is currently at appeal court against the judgement of a high court that sent him parking from the government house recently.
It was reported that those who attended the meeting which was held at the Asokoro home of Prince Vincent Ogbulafo in Abuja, also include Mao Ohuabunwa, Enyi Abaribe, Chief Empire Kanu, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Eze Ngozi Marthias Nwoko, Professor SO Igwe, Uzoma Nkem Abonta, Professor Herbert Orji, Eze JO Akaliro, Eze Eberechi Dick and Eze PM Okponku and others. A communique issued by these leaders in Abuja also condemned the ruling that favoured Ogah as governor calling it perverse and reckless.
The communique read out by one of the elders, Onyema Ugochukwu, stated: “We, the concerned elders of Abia state, worried by the developments in the last five days which threatened to plunge our state into anarchy, violence and bloodshed, met today in Abuja to review the situation “We reviewed the judgement of Justice Okon Abang, which was the beginning of the unfortunate crisis and INEC’s decision to issue a certificate of return to our son Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, which decision exacerbated the crisis. READ
“We came to the conclusion, unanimously, that Justice Abang’s order to issue a certificate of return to someone who never contested the governorship election against the electoral act and well known decisions of superior courts was perverse and reckless and we condemn it in its entirety.
“We have also noted the unseeming haste of INEC to issue the certificate just a few hours after the Justice Abang order, and in spite of the fact that INEC had been duly served with a notice of appeal of the said order and the motion for a stay of execution. “We are worried by the impression created of a conspiracy involving INEC to throw Abia into confusion and anarchy.
“We condemn in very strong terms the attempt to set Abia on fire and create a situation which can only compound the problems which our country is currently having to bring an end to violence in the north-east and Niger Delta.
“We have also noted with appreciation the intervention of the attorney-general of the federation, Malami, who has urged all parties to follow the rule of law and wait the conclusion of proceedings in the appellate courts. “We join in this appeal for peace and urge all parties involved in this matter to calm down and await the conclusion of matters at the courts.
“We also commend our people, the people of Abia who have remained peaceful in the face of recent provocations. We urge them to remain calm and maintain the peace as we wait the courts to conclude their processes.”
