Protests in Aba over court sacking of Ikpeazu

Governor Ikpeazu

Four separate protests took place in Aba, the commercial town of Abia state today over the judgment by the Appeal Court that pronounced Dr Alex Otti, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, governor-elect of the state.

Supporters of the sacked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu took to the streets to protest the judgment.

The peaceful protests were led by former Nigerian senate president Adolphus Wabara, Dr Godson Amuta, commisssioner for works Ezuiche Ubani and the chairman of Isialangwa LG.

According to a report by 247ureport.com, the protesters were mainly people of the Ukwa/Ngwa people of the state, which make up three local government areas, whose votes were cancelled for over-voting. The affected LGAs are: Obingwa, which is the local government of the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Osisioma and Isialangwa North respectively.

Alex Otti

Senator Wabara who led a section of the protesters at the Ariaria section of the Enugu-Aba-Port-Harcourt highway, said that the ruling was unacceptable to them.

“We are on the street to register our displeasure over the court of appeal ruling. All we are saying that our votes should and must be allowed to count. We must be part of the decision of who governs us. And we did when we voted overwhelmingly for our son Dr Ikpeazu as our governor. This attempt to rob us our hard earned mandate which we have to Governor through the court of appeal is unacceptable to us. While the ruling will be challenged, we shall remain on the streets.”

Dr Godson Amuta is leading another section of protesters at Umuikea junction on the same highway. The chairman of Isialangwa North is also leading another section of the protest at Ntigha junction on the same highway.

A much larger protest was led by the commissioner for works, Eziuche Ubani.

Aba has been locked down, said 247ureports.com.