Ikpeazu warns against ‘illegal’swearing-in of Otti as governor

• ‘We’ve triumphed over unjust minority’
Abia State government has alerted the public to an alleged plan to swear in Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the new governor on Monday based on last Thursday’s Appeal Court verdict that declared him as the winner of the governorship held in the state.

In the verdict, the court order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Otti with his certificate of return.

The Information Commissioner, Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha, in a statement, warned those he said were “ planning to have the APGA governorship candidate, Otti, sworn-in illegally next Monday to desist from such dastardly act as the state government will not condone it”.

The commissioner, who said the government’s warning was sequel to rumours about plans to swear in Otti, stressed that Abia and her citizens believe strongly in democracy and the rule of law. According to him, “anything outside the rule of law will be calling for anarchy and government would not want a breach of the peace in the state.
“No one will be allowed to take steps to disrupt the peace in the state. Those planning the illegal swearing in should desist as such an act will be stoutly resisted by the people.”

Meanwhile, the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka, has described the Appeal Court verdict as a perverse judgment “ that will certainly be upturned by the Supreme Court”.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the PDP whose victory was annulled by the said Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, had quickly directed his lawyers to file an appeal at the Supreme Court to seek redress of the Appeal Court judgment.
Meanwhile, Otti has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary, saying the former ruling of the election petition tribunal, which was against him, did not make him lose faith in the judicial system.

In a statement, the former banker said that the ruling of the Appeal Court in his favour was the victory of silent majority over ‘unjust minority’.

“I am sure that many of you have heard the good news from the Appeal Tribunal that we have finally recovered the mandate of the people, which was brazenly and shamelessly stolen from you a few months ago. This is one good news that travels fast as in the past few hours, I have been inundated with calls, text messages and personal visits from many of you. All well-meaning people are rejoicing and there is joy in the land. Praise is to God!

“It is said that the windmill of justice may grind slowly but it surely does grind. After more than seven months of tortuous and needless legal tussle, the will of the people has triumphed!

“The ruling is the triumph of the abiding will of the people against the principalities of thuggery, barefaced robbery and high handed impunity. It is victory of the silent majority over a noisy, unjust and parochial minority. My fellow Abians, it is your victory!”