A cross section of Abians staged a solidarity protest against the judgement of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja removing from office the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Ikpeazu was alleged to have falsified the tax receipts he presented to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to qualify to stand for its primaries in December 2014.
The mammoth crowd of Abians from the 17 local government areas of the state gathered at the Government House in Umuahia on Wednesday.
They protested what they called a miscarriage of justice, describing the judgment as totally unacceptable.
The crowd, which carried placards with various inscriptions, first marched to the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic party, where they were received by the party’s Chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, who assured them that the party and Abians were solidly behind the Governor.
They then proceeding to the Government House, Umuahia.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu, who addressed the peaceful protesters, reassured them that the government is still focused and committed to giving the people the desired democracy dividends, stressing that no amount of distractions can deter Governor Ikpeazu and his team.
Okochukwu’s words: “No amount of distractions will change our resolve to serve the people.
“I want to tell you that the Governor has appealed the judgment.
“We depend on the judiciary to do the right thing.
“We are confident that the truth will prevail.”
Okochukwu commended the people for conducting themselves peacefully.
Also speaking, Onuigbo said the party is behind the Governor, adding that the ruling of Justice Abang was ill conceived.
Onuigbo said: “The PDP in Abia State is solidly behind our Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
“This judgment is ill-conceived.
“And I want to assure you that it won’t stand.
“Abia under Ikpeazu has enjoyed peace and tranquility and we will not tolerate any attempt to destabilize the state.
“We call on Abians to remain calm and resolute in their support for the Governor.
“We also call on the Governor to remain focused and totally committed towards the development of the state.
“We hereby pass a vote of confidence on the Governor.”
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