Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken control of Abia State House of Assembly with the swearing in of Aaron Uzordike as the 12th member in the 24-member House.
Uzordike’s victory in the 2023 general election had been validated by the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos last November against the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Destiny Nwagwu for Aba North constituency.
Following the verdict, the court had ordered the Independent National Electoral (INEC) to issue him a Certificate of Return after it invalidated the one it had earlier issued to Nwagwu.
However, the speaker of the House, Emmanuel Emeruwa failed to comply with the order despite appeals by Uzordike, the PDP, and different stakeholders and interest groups until Tuesday.
With the new development, the ruling LP, which gained two former members of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) through defection, has 11 members, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) has one.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, Uzordike expressed appreciation to God, “Who has done it at His time,” the governor, Alex Otti, the speaker and his constituents for standing solidly behind him.
“I am also very grateful to my party for giving me the opportunity to contest the election,” the second term lawmaker said in a mobile phone conversation.