Ikpeazu: Abia Governor challenges Court of Appeal ruling

An Appeal Court has declared the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Mr Alex Otti, the victor of the Abia State Governorship election.

ABUJA-The People Democratic Party, PDP, has appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging the nullification of the election that brought Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State to power.

Addressing the protesters at Ariaia, Adolph Wabara, a former Senate president, described the judgment as surprising.

Adaelu further said that Ikpeazu’s team had filed a suit at the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict, because of the hope they have that the apex court would reverse the judgement.

PDP said Ikpeazu had a constitutional right to appeal against the judgment at the Supreme Court, under and by virtue of Section 233(2) (e) (iv) of the constitution (as amended).

Ikpeazu indicated interest to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court. Mahmood Yakubu, asking him not to do anything that will tamper with his office as the governor of Abia State.

“Every living soul in Abia State who saw what happened on April 12, 2015 knew that the cancellation of the elections held in Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa local government areas by the returning officers after the results were uploaded to INEC, was wrong”.

Ikpeazu, in a letter his lawyer wrote to INEC, wondered why the court overruled the tribunal, which upheld his election.

“In the Electoral Act, the Returning Officer has the right to only declare results of elections and not to cancel elections”.

“The State Police Command is aware of plans by a group of people in the state to engage in protest/demonstration to express their displeasure with the decision of the Court of Appeal and another group who applaud the decision of the Court of Appeal on the Abia State gubernatorial election”.

Nevertheless, Ikpeazu, decried that the appellate court had since refused to avail him with a copy of the judgment that nullified his election.

“Also, under Section 143(2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), our client has the statutory right to remain in office pending the expiration of the period within which an appeal shall be filed, assuming without conceding that he does not even want to lodge an appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal”.