Tension In Abia Over Supreme Court verdict
Palpable tension has enveloped Abia State, as the Supreme Court gives final verdict on the legal battle between the incumbent governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Dr Uche Ogah and Dr Alex Otti, over who should be the rightful governor of the state.
While Ikpeazu and Ogah belong to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Alex Otti is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
As a result of this, security has been beefed up in the commercial town of Aba and its environs to forestall any breakdown of law and order a result of the judgment.
As early as 7.00am yesterday, when Daily Sun moved round the city of Aba, there were presence of security personnel at strategic locations, with patrol teams moving around.
Security agents who spoke with Daily Sun said the security measures were meant to ensure that noone capitalised on the judgment to disrupt the peace in Aba and its environs.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna, warned both Ikpeazu and Ogah’s supporters to avoid acts that could jeopardise the peace in the state, stressing that anyone that distrupts the peace in the state would be dealt with by the police.
Ogbonna said Abia Police Command decided to dispatch its personnel as a proactive step to stem the activities of hoodlums and mischievous persons.
“The Abia State Police Command has put all necessary measures in motion to ensure there would be no breakdown of law and order in the state, no matter the outcome of the verdict of the Supreme Court. Divisional Police Officers have been advised to ensure adequate security of lives and property in their areas of jurisdiction, to avert any ugly incident as a result of the court verdict.“Our men have been deployed at various strategic points as well.
“The youths in the state should not be allowed themselves to be used for any form of thuggery during, before and after the Supreme Court judgment. Parents are as well advised to warn their children, especially the youths to maintain the peace and stay away from any act capable of bringing violence into the state.”
Before today, supporters of the main actors in the legal battle had been claiming they would have victory at the Supreme Court, with some of them buying drinks in advance with which to celebrate the day’s victory.
