Abia Speaker inaugurates PDP member 15 months after

Speaker of the Abia State House Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, yesterday, inaugurated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Aaron Uzodike, representing Aba North State Constituency, who was declared winner of the March 18, 2023 election, while nullifying the election of his Labour Party (LP) rival, Destiny Nwagwu.

Recall that the Speaker had, despite the declaration of the court on November 27, 2023, refused to swear-in Uzodike, alleging that there was a contrary order from “above” not to do so.

Emeruwa had said that the Appeal Court did not specifically order his inauguration, including litigations, which, he said, Uzodike and his rival (Nwagwu) filed on the matter in the courts.

The Speaker was said to have waited for the litigations to be determined before inaugurating Uzodike. It was not ascertained if the said litigations were discharged, before he (Speaker) inaugurated Uzodike, yesterday.

While reacting to Uzodike’s inauguration, the State PDP, through its spokesman/Acting Vice Chairman, Abraham Amah, congratulated both the Speaker and Uzodike in a statement.

He stated: “We commend the Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly for waking up from slumber and demonstrating obedience and adherence to the rule of law. This action strengthens our democratic processes and reinforces our constituents’ confidence in our institutions’ integrity.

“Uzodike’s inauguration after several months of delay represents a significant milestone in our democracy’s journey to perfection.”

Urging the Speaker to urgently release all entitlements due to or owed Uzodike for the past 15 months, the state PDP said that addressing this matter promptly would enable him (Uzodike) to execute his duties effectively and fulfil the promises he made to the people he represents.

“We also congratulate all members of the PDP caucus of the Abia Assembly, led by Solomon Akpulonu, for their unwavering commitment toward achieving this milestone, as your collective efforts have brought us to this day, and they do not go unnoticed.”