The crisis trailing the Abia State governorship tussle took a different dimension yesterday with the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) and the Samson Uche Ogah’s camp bickering over the remark of Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo, that it is illegal for Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to continue to act as the governor.
The OYC, in a statement signed by the leader of states’ chairmen, Mazi Okemiri Alex, described Keyamo’s comment as a slap on the legal profession.
He said: “The recent vexatious antics and vituperations of one Barr Festus Keyamo who asked for the swearing-in of Dr Uche Ogar as Abia governor is a slap on the legal profession. It is nothing but a verbal diarrhea. Is Barr Keyamo not aware that the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is in the Appeal Court to challenge the decision of the federal high court in Abuja?
“Why do all manner of people make unguarded statements on the Abia issue just to be noticed, rewarded or just talk for talking sake? It is the same Keyamo that has been making controversial statements in the past and sometime ago lambasted Ndigbo for demanding for fair representation in the federal cabinet.”
He added: “Keyamo should keep his mouth shut and allow the court of Appeal at Abuja to do its job. There should be no trial on the pages of the newspaper. Even the AGF has made it clear that the case should be unfettered, even up to the Supreme Court if necessary. Keyamo should stop disgracing the legal profession by his incongruous and disgraceful utterances which are out of tune with reality.”
But reacting, Ogah’s legal officer, Barrister Monday Onyekachi Ubani, debunked insinuations that said Keyamo was sponsored to make the comment in favour of his principal, adding that he did not err making the comment.
“I am not aware of Keyamo being commissioned by anybody, but I read his publication and I agree with his submissions. They are true and unimpeachable. Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has no business in Umuahia Government House for a second! All his actions, policies after 27th June, 2016 are illegal and invalid. The matter as it stands today is that Dr Uche Ogah is the governor of Abia, legally speaking, but he must be sworn-in and take his oath of office, declare assets before he can start to act in that capacity as a governor.