– The PDP members in Abia have said they are
ready to die to ensure Sampson Ogah doesn’t
become the next governor of the state
ready to die to ensure Sampson Ogah doesn’t
become the next governor of the state
– The party describes the judgment of the Federal
High Court, Abuja, which ordered that Sampson
Ogah be sworn in as “a rape of democracy.”
– The party warns FG about flooding Abia state
with military personnel
The Peoples Democratic Party, Abia state chapter
has described the judgment of the Federal High
Court, Abuja, which ordered that Sampson Ogah be
sworn in as “a rape of democracy,” NAN reports.
This declaration was made by Johnson Onuigbo, the
PDP state chairman on Thursday, June 30, at the
end of the party emergency meeting in Umuahia,
Abia state capital.
Onuigbo, accompanied by members of the
executive committee, said the party is also aware
of rumours circulating that there are plans to flood
the state with military personnel.
According to him, such an invasion would trigger off
anarchy, adding that the party was poised for
showdown over the planned inauguration.
The PDP chairman, added that the judgment and
issuance of Certificate of Return to Ogah had
undermined the peace and tranquillity enjoyed in the
state.
He said: “Abia is not safe. I didn’t want to believe
the rumour that the state will soon be invaded by
the army because this is not a war zone.
“We want to inform the world that there is tension
in Abia because democracy is about to be raped.
“As a party, we will resist any move by anybody to
undermine the peace in the state.
“As a law-abiding state, the government had
obtained an exparte injunction restraining the state
Chief Judge or any other judges from swearing in
Ogah as governor.
“We are ready for them, we are ready to die.
“If they do it, then they are inviting anarchy and
confusion in the state.
“We are in a democracy so we want the world to
hear and know that we are being short-changed in
Abia.”
Onuigbo said the party had sent emissaries to Ogah
to persuade him “to sheath his sword and allow
peace to reign in Abia”, but to no avail.
He said that at the end of the current crisis, the
party would sanction Ogah for disregarding
entreaties from the chieftains of the party.
The court, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, on
Monday, June 26, ordered Governor Okezie Ikpeazu
to vacate office as governor over the case of tax
evasion.
Justice Abang also ordered that Ogah, who came
second in the PDP primaries, should be sworn in as
the governor.
Ogah was also issued the Certificate of Return by
the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) in Abuja on Thursday, June 30, but he his
hopes were dashed following an injunction by the
Abia state High Court forbidding his swearing in.
The order made by Justice Chibuzo Ahuchaogu of
the Abia High Court said among other things, “Upon
this motion ex-parte pursuant to section 143 (1) &
(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and
pending the determination of the motion on notice,
after hearing O.O Nkume, counsel to the applicant.”
Apart from the court order, Ikpeazu also declared
Friday and Monday as public holidays in “honour of
a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe,
who died on Wednesday”.
The federal government has already declared
Tuesday and Wednesday public holidays to mark
the Ed-il-Fitr.
The implication is that the judiciary in Abia state
will not open for business until Thursday, July 7,
making it impossible for Ogah to immediately
challenge the injunction granted Ikpeazu.
But according to Ogah, the injunction obtained by
embattled governor Okezie Ikpeazu could not
invalidate his inauguration as he is on his way to
Umuahia, the Abia state capital, to be sworn in as
governor.
