Jubilation over Ogah’s victory

Barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the nomination of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Abia governor, Aba residents, yesterday trooped to the streets in celebration.
The court had ruled that since Ikpeazu was guilty of tax evasion and, therefore, not qualified to have vied for the ticket of the PDP,  Dr. Uche Ogah, president of Masters Energy and first runner-up in the party’s primary election, was the authentic winner.
The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Ogah Certificate of Return for him to assume office as governor.
Ikpeazu has, however, challenged the court’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.
In Aba, it was jubilation. Apart from those who declared free drinks at beer palours, there were pockets of marches at popular streets including Azikiwe Road, Faulks Road, Cemetery Market and the famous Ekeoha Market.
Also, some residents staged a celebration procession at Umungasi and Ogbor Hill areas of Aba.
Those who participated in the street marches chanted solidarity songs and said “victory has eventually come after the disappointment of the Supreme Court ruling validating Ikpeazu’s election.”
There was similar street jubilation in Umuahia on Monday, when news of the court verdict filtered into town.
One of the jubilant residents, who declined to be named, told Daily Sun that “the court’s verdict was a clear testament of the unflinching disposition and steadfastness of the judiciary.”
He said with the victory, there was “hope that better things are ahead for Abia people,” as their “dream for better governance and prosperity would soon come true.”
Ikpeazu was found guilty of tax evasion and was, therefore, declared unqualified to have contested the 2015 governorship election in the state. He was accused by two members of the PDP for failing to pay personal income tax promptly  for 2010 and 2011, in line with Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution, which states: “It shall be the duty of every citizen to … declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly.”
The court had  ordered the governor to vacate office immediately, and hand over to Ogah, who came second in the PDP governorship primary in Abia.
In suit no. FHC/ABJ/ CS/1086/2014, dated December 22, 2014, and instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, two individuals, Obasi Eke and Chukwuemeka Mba, had asked the PDP and INEC to disqualify Mr. Ikpeazu from contesting the governorship election.