Confusion, Tension In Abia As INEC Issues Certificate Of Return to Ogah

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

…Ogah Likely To Be Sworn-in As Governor

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The shocking issuance Thursday, of the certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Uche Ogah of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has created tension and confusion within the Abia State Government circle and the entire State.

Despite Governor Okozie Ikpeazu’s filing of notice of appeal against the Monday’s ruling of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, INEC’s action provoked shock to many stakeholders, while confusion now reigns in the South Eastern State.

As at the time of filling this report, AFRICAN EXAMINER reliably gathered that Ogah was on his way from Abuja to Abia to be sworn-in as the State’s Governor.

Our Correspondent also gathered that Governor Ikpeazu who has arrived at the Abia State University to deliver a lecture hurriedly left when he was told about the development.

The Monday’s ruling has since thrown up another round of debate among the Lawyers and members of the public, on whether the judgment was “declaratory” or not.

Some Lawyers argued that even if the ruling is declaratory, a motion for stay of execution could still be filed against the ruling alongside the notice of appeal.

The question now is did Governor Ikpeazu’s Lawyers filed both motion for stay of execution with the notice of appeal?

This situation has prompted concern that two different persons (occupants) of the same office cannot hold Certificate of return. But as the situation stands, both Ikpeazu and Ogah are in possession of the Certificate, as there is no evidence that the embattled Governor has returned his (Certificate) to INEC as contained in the judgment.