CUPP set to embark on state-wide protest over failure of Abia Speaker to Swear in Uzodike six months after Appeal Court judgment

The Coalition of United Political Parties CUPP Abia State Chapter has declared to embark on a peaceful state-wide protest Wednesday May 22 2024 to register its displeasure over the failure of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa to swear in Aba North State Constituency Member-Elect, Hon. Aaron Uzodike six months after his victory at the Appeal Court and issuance of the Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

Uzodike, was on November 27, 2023, declared the winner of the March 23 2023 election, by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, which also removed Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party, LP, from office.

Briefing the press in Umuahia and reading from a communique signed by Bar. Ikenna Edozie (State Chairman Action Alliance AA) and Hon. Joseph Ulu (State Chairman National Redemption Movement NRM) as CUPP State Chairman and Secretary respectively and read by Obinna Don Noman,; State Chairman African Democratic Congress ADC, the CUPP said the decision is sequel to the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum it had earlier issued to the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti and the Speaker to Swear in Uzodike after his victory at the Appellate Court which is the highest Court of jurisdiction and adjudication in the matter.

The CUPP further stated that it arrived at “the painful but necessary decision” to save Nigeria’s democracy after what it described as the Speaker’s refusal to comply with all entreaties of the body, reasonable Abians and Civil Societies.

The Coalition through the communique called on members of the public, lovers of democracy and justice as well as Civil Societies to join them en masse to resist what it called an obvious threat to democracy capable of disrupting the relative peace in the state.

The CUPP recalled that after the refusal of the speaker to swear in Hon. Uzodike six months after his victory at the Appeal Court and issuance of the Certificate of Return by INEC, it wrote an intervention letter to the governor, Governor Otti demanding compliance with the judgment of the appellate court in accordance with democratic tenets and rule of law.

The letter which conveyed a seven-day ultimatum has the Speaker, the DSS and the Police Commissioner in copy.