Despite INEC Certificate of Return to Uche Ogah, Ikpeazu Declares He Remains Abia Governor

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, June 30th, 2016

By Seun Adebosin

ABIA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Despite the Certificate of Return issued Thursday by INEC to Uche Ogah, Abia State Goveror Okozie Ikpeazu has declared that he remained the elected Governor and urged residents of the State to remain calm.

The Governor made the declaration Thursday in a statement Ikpeazu he personally signed.

“I have received with concern, report of the purported issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as Governor of Abia State, despite dependency of a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“Our laws are clear on this matter. No one may be issued with a certificate of return let alone be sworn in as governor, when there is a subsisting appeal and application for stay.

“I want to appeal to Abians to remain calm and law abiding in the face of this provocation, unless and until the appellant courts have conclusively resolve the appeal, the status remains, I am still the Governor of Abia State” Ikpeazu declared.