SWEAR CHRISTIAN OKERI IN AS LGA CHAIRMAN, OR BE COMMITTED TO JAIL IN DUE COURSE - APGA FIRES IKPEAZU, ABSIEC

[caption id="attachment_34640" align="aligncenter" width="2548"] Honorable Christian Okeri[/caption]

The threat from APGA was precipitated by the rulings of an LGA Election Tribunal and an Abia state High Court of Appeal respectively, which voided the election of the PDP Candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku.

It would be recalled that the APGA candidate, Chief Okeri who was the only opponent of Chief Isikaku had approached the election tribunal asking it to disqualify Chief Isikaku because he was not qualified by law to have stood in the election having failed to pay his taxes, as required by Law where it concerns LGA elections in Abia state.

In the petition No. EPU/1/2017, Chief Okeri prayed the court to declare him winner having come second, and being the only opponent of the accused in the election, or alternatively, order for a fresh election which he would be the only one to take part in it in line with the provisions of the law.

In its judgement delivered on the 13th Day of October 2017, the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal upheld Chief Okeri 's petition, and ordered Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABAIEC) to conduct a fresh election for chairmanship of Isialangwa South Local Government.

Chief Isikaku feeling dissatisfied with the judgement, filed an appeal at the High Court of Abia State, and on 23Rd Day of November, 2018, the court upheld the judgement of the Abia State Local Government Tribunal, and directed ABSIEC to conduct a fresh election in the LGA.

Unfortunately, both INEC and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu failed to comply with the orders of the court, even though they were duly served.

Suspecting that Abia State government was planning to appoint Transition Committee Chairmen across the state, Chief Okeri filed another suit, restraining the Defendants from conducting/presiding over the affairs of Isialangwa South LGA.

Unfortunately, in spite of the retraining order served on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu /Abia state government, ABSIEC and Abia state House of Assembly, the government and her agents have gone ahead to flagrantly in clear disobedience to court order appoint a Transition Chairman in the LGA.

APGA said that the party would not take the case lightly against all those involved, in what the party described as contempt of court.

The party has also reminded the governor that his immunity would expire on the 29th of May, and that since APGA led government shall be coming on board, on that date, the part may consider bringing contempt charges against those involved in the disobedience of the court orders.

More details coming soon!