Abians from all walks of life Wednesday trooped to the capital city of Umuahia to protest the order of the Abuja Federal High Court which last Monday told the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, to vacate office for alleged falsification of tax documents in a case instituted by Dr. Uche Ogah, also of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But Ikpeazu assured them that he would not be distracted by the judgment but would remain focused and committed to implementing his programmes and executing developmental projects he has embarked upon despite the court judgment.

He gave the assurance when he addressed the thousands of protesters who came to express their displeasure at the “shocking” court judgment and to show solidarity with him.

“We are focused and committed to continue to provide democracy dividends to the people, no matter what happened,” the governor said.

The huge crowd of protesters drawn from across the 17 local governments of the state converged on the state capital, armed with placards of various inscriptions and singing solidarity songs as they marched through some major streets to Government House.

Some of the placards read: ‘We are solidly behind Okezie Ikpeazu,” “Stop the gang up against our governor,” “Give peace a chance, let Okezie work,” “Can a public servant evade tax?”

Spokesman of the protesters, Mr. Randy Ukanwoke, who is also the transition chairman of Umuahia South local government, had in his speech, explained that the crowd of people had gathered without partisan consideration to express their grievances over the “unfortunate judgment.”

He lamented that the judgment delivered by Justice Okon Abang was coming at a time Ikpeazu was settling down to work after a long-drawn legal tussle with those challenging his victory in the governorship election.

“The judgment is a calculated attempt to truncate the peace we have been enjoying in the state since the inception of Ikpeazu’s government,” he said, adding, “it is a distraction.”

The protest letter signed by representatives from each local government and which was read by Chief Amah Abraham, the transition chairman of Arochukwu Local Government Area, was handed over to the governor.

In the letter, the protesters said that the court judgment was “totally unacceptable and a miscarriage of justice,” adding that the psychological trauma visited on the people was enormous

Responding, the governor, represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct despite their strong feelings against the court judgment.

“We appreciate and understand the pains in your heart caused by the court judgment,” he said, adding that the people should be hopeful and have confidence in the judiciary “to do the right thing.”

He informed the people that the court judgment has been appealed and urged them to remain calm and assured them that all available judicial processes would be followed to get justice.

•Photo by Ibeabuchi Abarikwu shows Abia State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Udeh Oko Chukwu, addressing a cross section of Abians who came on a peaceful protest in Umuahia against the recent Federal High Court Judgment against Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

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