“We are grateful to the judiciary that has stood as the last hope of the common man. Without the judiciary what would have been the hope of the son of a poor teacher who became Governor at the mercy of God and Abia people. It would have been difficult,” Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, reflected Thursday while reacting to the Apeal Court judgement quashing the High Court ruling which ordered his removal from office.

Addressing newsmen at Government House, Umuahia shortly after the Appeal Court ruling, Ikpeazu said his victory would reinvigorate him to render more service to Abians.

The Governor described the judgment as victory for the common man who voted him into power and expressed his appreciation to God and thanked the judiciary for affirming his victory.

He appreciated all those who prayed for him and urged them to continue in their prayers, “for without prayer we can do nothing.”

The Governor enjoined the Nigerian press to rise to the occasion in defence of the country’s democracy. “The gains this country had made in the democratic experience is too precious to toy with. We can recover from our economic problem but we may never recover if we draw back on our gain in terms of our democracy.”

He expressed confidence “that tomorrow will be better and pledged to serve Abians with the last drop of his energy.”

Also speaking on Ikpeazu’s victory, the chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jubrin Aminu, who led members of the BoT to console the Governor over the demise of late Chief Ojo Maduekwe, said the victory was long expected as they never had any doubt that Ikpeazu would win.

News Express reports that on June 27, 2016, Justice Okon Abang of Federal High Court, Abuja, while ruling on a case brought by Dr Sampson Uche Ogah against for Ikpeazu for allegedly giving false information on his tax certificate, ordered Ikpeazu to vacate office while INEC should issue a fresh certificate of return to Ogah who should be sworn in as governor.

•Abia State Government House Photo shows Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, addressing newsmen in Umuahia after his victory at the Appeal Court. With him from L-R are Rt. Hon. Matins Azubuike, Speaker, Abia State House f Assembly, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Deputy Governor, and Dr. Eme Okoro, SSG.

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