Keep calm… I’m still your governor, Ikpeazu tells supporters

June 27, 2016 3:46 pm

Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia state, has urged his supporters not to panic because he “remains the governor of the state according to law”.

Ikpeazu was reacting to Monday’s judgement of a federal high court sitting in Abuja, which deemed him unqualified to have been elected governor, and declared that Uche Ogah, who came second at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary‎, should be declared winner instead.

In the suit, Ogah had contended that the governor evaded tax prior to his election, and as such was‎ unqualified to hold an elective office.

The judge upheld the argument, ordering the removal of Ikpeazu for submitting false information to the PDP in the course of the party’s primary election.

But responding via a statement by Enyinnaya Appolos, his chief press secretary, Ikpeazu vowed to appeal the judgement.

“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 today in favor of Mr. Uche Oga against him, in the case of alleged falsification of tax receipts,” read the statement.

“Governor Ikpeazu, who said that he has faith in the judiciary and rule of law, will appeal the ruling as he has instructed his lawyers to file an appeal immediately against the said judgment.

“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, 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 maintains that he remains the governor of the state according to law and will await the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts.”