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Tag: Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu

  • Court judgment a call for more service to Abians – Ikpeazu

    Court judgment a call for more service to Abians – Ikpeazu

    The governor of Abia state Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has described the Appeal Court judgment that reaffirmed him as governor as a vehicle that will reinvigorate him to offer more services to the people of the state.

    Reacting to the Appeal Court judgment in Umuahia, Ikpeazu said that the news before him and the people of the state is a pleasant one which has put to rest the issue of who has the mandate to govern the state.

    Ikpeazu said, “The news before us is a wonderful one, as our mandate has been reaffirmed by the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, the judgment will reinvigorate our efforts in our service to Ndi Abia”.

    The Governor flanked by his Deputy Ude Okochukwu and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martins Azubuike, commended the judiciary for restoring the mandate of the people of the state.

    He said, “I want to thank those who prayed and are still praying for the victory, as the democratic gains this country has achieved are too precious to be thrown away at the wimps of a court judgment”.

    Ikpeazu; “I am confident that our tomorrow will be better that our today. We will serve Ndi Abia with the last drop of our energy, by ensuring that the mandate given to us will not be mishandled in any way”.

    In his speech the PDP BoT chairman Senator Waheed Jubril said the party hierarchy was confident that the governor would win the case and expressed confidence that Governor Ikpeazu would govern Abia well.

    Jubril said that they were in the state for the condolence of Chief Ojo Maduekwe and had been praying for his success of Ikpeazu at the court as they never entertained any fears that he would lose at the Court of Appeal.

  • Abia: ‘Appeal Court will protect electorate’s right to choose’

    Abia: ‘Appeal Court will protect electorate’s right to choose’

    Former special adviser to Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Mr Ben Onyechere, has said the electorate in Abia are confident that the Court of Appeal, will uphold their right to choose who should govern them.

    The appellate court will on August 9 in Abuja, begin hearing on an appeal filed by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, challenging the June 27 nullification of his election as Abia State Governor by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Onyechere observed that the confusion which followed the High Court ruling had affected the electorate’s franchise but they had placed their faith in the Appeal Court.

    “No amount of conspiracy can deter the wheel and pace of progress in the state and the electorate, whose franchise is being tampered with, are confident that the appellate court will protect their right to choose a governor for themselves,” he said.

    Onyechere lauded Ikpeazu’s effort to ‘re-invent the state’ and ‘upgrade and expand its infrastructural layout’.

    He said: “The governor’s determination to re organise the socio-economic landmarks of the state in all strata is borne out of the desire to extricate the state from a pariah status.

    “Despite paucity of funds the governor has applied wisdom and prudence in priotising the rehabilitation of existing amenities as well as attaining new vistas in construction of roads that have economic and social viability which can stand the test of time.”

    Opponents of the state government had, he added, had dwindled, “because of the manifest sense of purpose and direction injected into the structures of governance in the state,” by Ikpeazu.

    He continued: “The governor’s background and antecedents are well known to me and are characterised by the genuine motivation to bring happiness to the majority of people.

    “Therefore, it is almost impossible to politicise or blackmail his mode of operations which have been laid bare in the public domain and for which the people have exhibited reciprocity by embracing his policies and programmes.

    “The need to re-develop Abia is urgent and as such can neither be compromised nor negotiated by proxy.”

  • Abia crisis : S/East elders charge CJN, AGF, DSS  

    Abia crisis : S/East elders charge CJN, AGF, DSS  

    A group of elders in the Southeast zone has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Department of State Security to compel the Chief Judge of Abia state to swear-in Dr. Uche Ogah as governor.

    The group, under the aegis of Ndigbo Bu-Otu Union, said allowing Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to continue in office as governor could trigger a major constitutional crisis in the state.

    In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, the group said the decision to involve the highest judicial and security institutions in the Abia crisis was part of the resolutions taken at an emergency meeting in Aba, Abia state.

    The statement, signed by the National President of the Union, Igwekala Ugomaduefule said it’s illegal for Ikpeazu to remain in office as governor after his certificate of return had been withdrawn by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ugomaduefule observed that it’s the first time in the nation’s political history that anyone would be occupying an elective office without a certificate of return issued by the electoral body.

    The union argued that Ikpeazu should be made to quit his seat while pursuing his appeal against he judgment of a Federal High Court that sacked him and ordered that Ogah be sworn-in.

    “If he eventually succeeds in the appeal, he will return to office after the INEC must have issued him another certificate of return”, the union said.

    Citing Section 71 of the Electoral Act, the union noted that INEC is mandated to issue a certificate of return within seven days to a candidate that won an election as proof of his/her win.

    It noted that in a case where a court declares another person the successful candidate in an election, the certificate of return should be issued to the successful candidate within 48 hours.

    The statement said, “The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as the chief law officer of the federation, must rise to the occasion and forestall political crisis in Abia state by directing the state’s Chief Judge to immediately swear-in Dr. Uche Ogah, who in the eye of the law is today the only legitimate governor of Abia state.

    “The Chief Justice of Nigeria should equally cooperate with the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure the Abia Chief Judge performs his constitutional responsibility unhindered by swearing-in Dr. Uche Ogah immediately.

    “We concede that the outgoing governor Okezie Ikpeazu has the right to appeal the judgement that removed him from office, but since the instrument that made him the governor has been withdrawn by INEC he should do the honourable thing by handing over to the new legitimate governor of Abia state, Dr. Uche Ogah.

    “Section 71 of the Electoral Act and the INEC Guidelines on the conduct of the election was very explicit that only someone with a Certificate of Return duly issued by INEC can occupy every elective office”.

    “The Section states that the Commission is to issue a certificate of return within seven days to a candidate who won an election as proof of his/her win.

    “But, in a case where a court declares another candidate the successful candidate in an election, the certificate of return should be issued to the successful candidate within 48 hours”.

    “We are equally calling on the Director General of the Department of State Services and the Inspector General of Police to immediately withdraw all security details attached to Okezie Ikpeazu, since in the eye of the law he is no longer the legitimate governor of Abia state”.

    The union commended Dr. Ogah for his maturity in restraining his supporters from taking the law into their hands, owing to the refusal of Governor Ikpeazu to quit.

  • Democracy is on trial in Abia state – Ikpeazu

    Democracy is on trial in Abia state – Ikpeazu

    The Abia state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has described the political imbroglio going on in the state as democracy on trial where a man who never contested an election to show his popularity will be declared the winner and certificate of return issued to him.

    Speaking with newsmen on the situation in Umuahia, Ikpeazu who appeared very relaxed said that what is happening is a temporary setback where a man is trying to ambush democracy and get into
    government through the back door.

    Ikpeazu said that the tenets of democracy is very clear as one is required to campaign, run for an election, go through the rigors of tribunal and other courts required to validate his election.

    He said, “I went through a campaign, ran an election and had gone through the tribunal and a court turned around to issue a certificate of return to someone without allowing me to exhaust my legal rights, which I must exercise.”

    The governor said, “I am baffled with the desperation of one man to assume office, here is a man facing twelve criminal charges pending in many courts in Lagos, this means that he is trying to get immunity to
    enable him escape prosecution.”

    “The way things are in the state, it means that democracy is on trial, as people who know me are aware that I worked last at the state environmental agency (ASEPA) where I paid my taxes and people are now
    saying that I did not pay tax.”

    “It is strange to Abians as the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) which I have no problem with has said it loud and clear that I paid my taxes, as I was duly assessed, so nobody can deny my fundamental
    rights and claim the mandate given to me by the people.”

    “I am resolute to protect the mandate as I have an injunction from a competent court of jurisdiction stopping anyone including the state chief judge or any other person in that capacity in any part of the
    state to swear in any one as governor of the state.”

    The governor then called for caution and thanked the youths of the state for their peaceful disposition since the stalemate started and urged them to continue to exhibit their good character which has
    continued to portray the state in good light.

    Ikpeazu noted that the state is a Niger Delta state, “Which has been very peaceful because the youths have always conducted themselves in an orderly manner, which has made it difficult for any oil pipeline to be vandalized.”

    The governor called on the people of the state to remain calm as he is determined to pursue the matter to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court if necessary, “Even if it is an order for execution, I deserve
    the right of appeal.”

    On the issue that there are people behind the stalemate, the governor said he does not believe it, “As am aware that the federal government is fighting corruption, so they cannot support corruption in any
    form.”

  • Court stops Ogah’s inauguration as Abia governor

    … Ikpeazu gets order stopping the exercise

    The governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has stopped the swearing in of Dr. Uche Ogar as the new governor of the state after obtaining a court order from Osisioma Ngwa High Court, stopping the exercise.

    The order with the suit number HOS/52/2016 issued on Thursday followed a restraining suit filed by counsel to Governor Ikpeazu, O. O. Nkume, which the presiding judge, Justice C. H. Ahuchaogu granted.

    The court order was in response to an ex-parte motion brought pursuant to section 143 [1] and [2] of the electoral Act, 2010 as amended after hearing the governor’s counsel.

    The reads, “That an order of injunction is hereby made retraining the 2nd Defendant [INEC] from issuing a certificate of return to the 1st Defendant Ogar while the claimant remains in office in accordance with section 143 [1] and [2] of the electoral Act 2010, as amended pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.

    “It is further ordered the 3rd defendant [Abia Chief Judge] or any other Judge of the court or any judicial officer, are hereby restrained from swearing in the 1st defendant while the claimant remains in office in accordance with relevant sections of the electoral act 2010 as amended.

    “It is also ordered that this order is hereby made to last for 10 days from today being Thursday 30th June 2016 and the returnable date is fixed for the 8th days of July, 2016.”

    Meanwhile, Ikpeazu in a release he personally signed told the people of the state to remain calm and law abiding, as he is still their governor.

    He said, “I have received with concern report of the purported issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC], as governor of Abia State, despite pendency of a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “Our laws are clear on this matter. No one may be issued with a certificate of return let alone be sworn in as governor, when there is a subsisting appeal and application for stay of the orders

  • Breaking: Ikpeazu files notice of appeal

    Breaking: Ikpeazu files notice of appeal

    Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, this morning filed notice of appeal and application for stay of execution at the Court of Appeal in Abuja against the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court…

    Details shortly

  • Ikpeazu to Abians: I remain your governor

    Ikpeazu to Abians: I remain your governor

    The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has called on Abians not to panic, but remain clam over the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja delivered Monday in favor of Mr. Uche Oga against him, in the case of alleged falsification of tax receipts.

    In a release by his chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Governor Ikpeazu, who said that he has faith in the judiciary and rule of law, added that he will appeal the ruling as he has instructed his lawyers to file an appeal immediately against the said judgment.

    The Governor noted as an appointee of the Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, when he served as the General Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), and first Deputy General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) Aba and Environs respectively, before his resignation in October 2014 to contest the Governorship election in the state, that within the period  his taxes were deducted at source, and when he had need of his tax clearance in 2014, he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, and was duly issued with his tax receipts for the period in question.

    He maintained that he remains the Governor of the state according to law and will await the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts.

  • Abia coming first at WASSCE results

    Abia coming first at WASSCE results

    …Ikpeazu gives scholarship to 17 Students to university level

     

    The governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has given scholarship to 17 students who were among those who came first from the state after the West African School Certificate Examination [WASSCE] results was released.

    The 17 students who are to come from each of the from the 17 local government areas of the state are part of the ways the governor is using to encourage students and teachers to ensure better performance in this years’ examination.

    The governor’s gesture was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary [CPS] Enyinnaya Appolos, saying that Ikpeazu is congratulating students and teachers in the state over the ranking of the state as the number one state in the May/June 2015 WASSCE result as released by the examination body.

    Appolos said that the scholarship is for the students to study in any university of their choice within the country, “In recognition of the excellent performance of the schools and students in the state’s school system”.

    He said, “Governor Ikpeazu has approved the award of tertiary education scholarship to the best students after the release of the WASSCE results from each of the 17 local government areas of the state to study in any Nigerian tertiary institution”.

    The CPS said that the governor explained that the scholarship will not end with the students who did well in last year’s examination results released by WASSCE, “Those who  will do well in this year’s and other years examination will also receive the same gesture”.

    The CPS said that the governor has directed the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ikechi Mgboji, to forward to him the list of the best student from each LGA of the state in the 2015 WASSCE examination results to enable him receive them and give them their scholarship documents.

    Appolos said that the governor has challenged the Commissioner, teachers and students in the state to ensure that the state maintains this top position in the education sector.

    He said that the governor has promised that he will do everything possible to ensure  much more improved students and teachers welfare that will enhance the performance of Abia students in future examinations.

    The Nation recalls that West African Examination Council [WAEC] recently released details of the performance of students by state andAbia State came first as the best performing state, while 35 other states and Abuja queued behind.

    Abia State has consistently maintained top position in the WASSCE performance chart in the past five years and the present administration is determined to ensure that it sustains the trend.

    In results released for 2014 and 2013 Abia came second behind Anambra State but has now overtaken Anambra state as the overall best and 1st in the WASSCE performance chart for 2015 examinations.

    The State topped the chart with 33, 762 of its 52, 801 candidates, scoring 63.94 per cent in the results released by the WASSCE for the year 2015 academic year.

    It will also be recalled that Ikpeazu during this year’s children’s day celebration donated 3 Toyota Camry cars to the best primary teachers from each senatorial zone of the state as part of the ways to

    encourage them.

  • Abia bans touting, embarks on grassroots sports

    Abia bans touting, embarks on grassroots sports

    The Abia government has banned all forms of touting in all parts of the state as it has been projecting the state in a very bad light and will do all within its power to ensure that the ban stands.

    Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia on the outcome of the state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, the commissioner for information, Bonnie Iwuoha said that security agencies have been directed to arrest anyone found touting in the state.

    Iwuoha said that the state government frowns at the high level of touting in all parts of the state and since the present administration has zero tolerance to such illegality, that it has no other choice than to ban it in all forms.

    He said that in the alternative that the EXCO has directed the state commissioner for sports to bring out a master plan that would enable them embark on massive sports development that will keep the youths busy.

    The information commissioner said that his counterpart in the sports ministry is expected to go to the grassroots and fish out the talented youths whose energy could be harnessed for their benefit and that of the state.

    Iwuoha said that it is expected that when the grassroots sports program commences, “It will make it possible for our youths to channel their enormous energy towards something more meaningful for both themselves and the state”.

    He said that the state government is to embark on massive agricultural produce and has directed the state commissioner for agriculture to produce a program that will bring out a revolution in that sector.

    The commissioner for information said that the program in agriculture will ensure food security, empowerment for both the youths and old, stressing that it will help to reduce crime rates in the state.

    Iwuoha said that the state government is sourcing for the sum of N1 billion agricultural loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), “When this loan comes it will be given to only genuine farmers and will not be used to settle political jobbers”.

    On education the information commissioner said that government is to renovate all the schools across the state and that the funds for the project will come from Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

    He said that the funds when it comes will be channeled towards the project, “The era when funds accessed for projects in the state are diverted is over and the UBEC funds will be used to give the schools a facelift.”

     

  • Four candidates rally for Ikpeazu

    Four candidates in Abia State have stepped down for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

    They are Mrs. Ifeoma Okpara of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Prince Sunday Isaac of the People for Democratic Change (PDC), Mr. Dan Onyeonagu of KOWA Party and Mr. Gilbert Chikezie of the Independent Democrat (ID).

    Onyeonagu said they were adopting Ikpeazu out of interest for the state.

    He said: “Having considered the political situation, we think it is good to adopt the candidate of the PDP, Dr. Ikpeazu.

    “This is our decision to salvage Abia from those who don’t mean well it – those who think Abia is for sale and are out to use their resources to buy it. Our people should rise up and save Abia from backwardness.”

    Responding, a PDP chieftain, Longman Nwachukwu, described their action as a show of  statesmanship.