Abia State elders and traditional rulers have described the issuance of
Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) on the order of Justice Okon Abang of the
Federal High Court Abuja, as perverse and reckless.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Enyinnaya
Appolos, obtained by journalists on Tuesday in Abuja said, the elders who
declared their full support for Ikpeazu, appealed to Abians and every
interest group in the tussle for leadership of the state, to remain calm,
for the good of the state.
Addressing journalists after a meeting in Abuja, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu,
who read the communique of a meeting they held at Asokoro home of Prince
Vincent Ogbulafo in Abuja, commended Attorney of the Federation and
Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), for his quick and timely
intervention which the elders said, has helped to reduce tension in the
state.
“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”
The elders, he said, “reviewed the judgement of Justice Okon Abang, which
is 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.
“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”,
they said.
The elders, made up of who is who in Abia politics, stated that they have
“faith in the Nigerian judiciary and believe that in the end Justice will
be done.”
They also used the opportunity to commiserate with families of notable
Abia citizens who lost their lives recently, among who is Chief Ojo
Maduekwe, who died recently.
“We also discussed our recent bereavement as a people, especially the
demise of Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe, just as our state was being thrown into
confusion as well as the earlier death of Senator Onyeka Okoroafor.
“We offer our sincere condolence to their respective families and pray
that Almighty God will comfort and strengthen them and the whole Abia
State.”
The meeting was attended by notable Abia elders and traditional rulers
among who are all the current serving Abia Senators including Former
Governor Theodore Orji, (Abia Central,) Mao Ohuabunwa, (Abia North,) Enyi
Abaribe, (Abia South).
Others are Senator Adolfus Wabara, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Empire Kanu,
Chef Onyema Ugochukwu, HRH, Eze Ngozi Marthias Nwoko, Professor S.O. Igwe,
Uzoma Nkem Abonta, and Professor Herbert O. Orji.
Other Royal father’s present at the meeting include, HRH Eze J O Akaliro,
HRH Eze Dr. Eberechi Dick and HRH Eze P M Okponku, amongst other
personalities.