Governors' Forum worried, says Ikpeazu, Ogah should respect court orders

dimeji akinloye

July 11, 2016 5:45 AM

The Chairman of the forum said the 36 state governors in the country are working to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order in Abia.

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

The Nigerian Governors Forum has expressed worry about the power tussle in Abia State between the Governor

The Federal High Court siting in Abuja had annulled the election of Ikpeazu as governor for allegedly presenting a fake tax clearance to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 governorship primaries in the state.

Ogah, who came second in the PDP primaries, was declared the rightful occupant of the Abia governorship seat - but Ikpeazu maintained that he remains the state Governor.

However, the Federal High Court in Owerri had on July 9 declared that Ikpeazu's tax clearance paperswere genuine.

Speaking on Sunday, July 10, while addressing traditional rulers from Abia State, the Chairman of the forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, the 36 state governors in the country are worried about the political crisis in Abia State, adding that they are working to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order in the state.

The monarchs paid a condolence visit to the State over the death of top politician, Umaru Shinkafi.

“As a forum, we are concerned about what is going on in Abia and we are working to ensure all sides respect the courts, and uphold peace. Abia is known for peace, as such we should not do things that would disturb the peace of the state,” Mr. Yari said.

READ: Ikpeazu expresses satisfaction with new ruling on tax papers

Earlier, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, had commended the the traditional rulers for reaffirming the long standing relationship with the people of the South East by their visit, urging that Nigerians should focus on what and how we can be united as a nation rather than emphasise of the things that can divide the country.

dimeji akinloye