Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Emereuwa, has assured the embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member-elect, Aaron Uzordike, that he will soon be inaugurated but declined to indicate the date for the event.
Last November, the Appeal Court in Lagos validated the victory of Uzordike for Aba North constituency against Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party in the March 2023 Assembly election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Emereuwa stated this at a press briefing as part of activities marking the first anniversary of the 8th Assembly, blaming the delay on legal matters initiated by Uzordike and Nwagwu against each other after the judgement.
He said Uzordike had also accused him and other members of the House of refusing to inaugurate him and obtained a court judgement ordering him to swear him (Uzordike) in failing to which they will be jailed.
“So, if I am going by that judgement, I will wait for the court order to swear him in.
But that is not where we’re standing,” the speaker, who represents the Aba South constituency, said.
“I am still trying to find common ground and to see how we can temper justice with mercy and swear him in as soon as possible. So, he will be sworn in, but I cannot tell you that it will be today or tomorrow.”
While addressing the press in April, Uzordike alleged that the speaker declined to inaugurate him after presenting himself, copies of the judgement, and his Certificate of Return from the INEC.
Uzordike said Emereuwa told him that an above-order had directed him (Emereuwa) not to inaugurate him. He, therefore, appealed to Governor Alex Otti to prevail on the speaker to comply with the judgement and inaugurate him.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the PDP instructed its House members, led by Solomon Akpulonu, to use all legitimate and legislative means to ensure the immediate inauguration of Uzordike.
In a statement signed by the vice chairman/acting publicity secretary, Abraham Amah, and made available to LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, the state capital, he said the chairman, Asifiro Okere, gave the instruction.
“We’re convinced that no legal obstacles are preventing his inauguration, following the issuance of his Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission on December 13, 2023, which is the only requirement for his inauguration.
“We demand that all emoluments and entitlements due to Uzordike from the date of his Certificate of Return issuance be promptly paid, as there are no legal grounds for further delay in his inauguration by the speaker, who represents the Labour Party,” it stated.
