From Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia, Lukman Olabiyi, Lagos
More groups, particularly, those from the hometown of former governor, Theodore Orji have added their voice to the call for the immediate swearing of Dr. Uche Ogah, stating that Ogah is the only one who can end the sufferings of Abia people.
Speaking with Daily Sun in Umuahia, the president of “Students for good Leadership” group of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture , Umudike, Mr Onyegbule Kingsley and kinsman of the former governor said Abia has no alternative to Ogah as governor.
Onyegbule who spoke on behalf of his group in Umuahia called on the chief judge of Abia State, to as a matter of urgency, obey the order of the court and swear in Ogah. He said Ogah is the only one who will wipe away the tears of parents and students through payment of salaries and allowances to the parents who are being owed backlog of salaries.
Speaking also, leader of traders at the Umuahia Industrial market , Mr Uche Ogwo said Ogah was the only panacea to the hopeless situation they find themselves in that market.
The duo extolled the virtues of Ogah, stating that the jubilation that greeted his declaration was a sign that he is the one that Abians want as their governor.
Meanwhile, the Ibeku Egwu Asaa Eklders Forum has thrown their weight behind Ogah and called for his immediate swearing as the governor of the state.
In a 7-point communique they issued at Ahia Eke Ndume after a meeting, signed by the seven representatives of the seven Egwus that make up Ibeku land, the group congratulated Ogah for his victory at the court.
Also, another socio-political group by the name Ibeku Women Foundation, yesterday joined their men folks to align with the decision of the court.
They called on all those concerned to do all within the ambits of the law to swear Ogah in as governor.
In a one-page communique they issued after an emergency meeting they held in Osah, signed by their president, Chief Mrs Charity Ozioma Ibeleme, General Secretary, Mrs Okluchi Eluzabeth Ikaegbu on behalf of all members of Ibekui women foundation, the women said as mothers, “ our prayer is to see a governor that is resident in Government House, Umuahia, one that pays workers salaries and treats Umuahia Ibeku as capital of Abia State.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Abia Youths Good Governance Advocacy (AYGGA) has urged the Court of Appeal to grant accelerated hearing in the ongoing Abia State governorship tussle pending before it.
The group said the call for accelerated hearing was the only solution to checkmate illegality and lawlessness currently going on in the state.
It called on the embattled Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to respect the rule of law and toe the path of honour by stepping aside honourably pending the final determination of the suit. Holding on to the seat, the group said at a press conference, could either mar or make the state for the fact that Ikpeazu could use his position to influence final verdict of the court and also the state apparatus and fund to pursue its appeal.
“We have absolute confidence in the judiciary of this country, we, therefore, appeal to the Court of Appeal to accelerate action on the Abia State governorship tussle to avoid anarchy. We also appeal to the sitting governor, Dr. Ikpeazu to respect the rule of law and vacate the governorship position since his Certificate of Return has been withdrawn by INEC.