PDP Takes ‘Control’ Of Abia Assembly

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assumed a slim majority status in the Abia State House of Assembly with the swearing-in of Aaron Uzordike as a member of the 24-member House on Tuesday.

Recall that 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, to represent Aba North state constituency in the House.

Following the verdict, the court consequently 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, refused to comply with the order of the court despite appeals by Uzordike, the PDP, and different stateholders and interest groups until Tuesday.

With the new development, the ruling LP in the State, which gained two former members of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) through defection, has 11 members in the House of Assembly, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) has only one, leaving the PDP with 12 members.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, Uzordike expressed appreciation to God, “Who has done it at His time,” 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 jubilantly said in a mobile phone conversation with our correspondent.