Abia Crisis: Ogah goes underground as he plots swearing-in

The newly appointed ‘governor of Abia State’, Sampson Ogah, has taken refuge at an unknown location in Umuahia, the state capital, as he awaits his swearing-in, an aide has told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Ogah arrived Umuahia with the certificate of return issued to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, hoping to be sworn in that day or Friday.

But the incumbent governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, refused to vacate office, saying he had appealed the judgment that led INEC to withdraw his certificate of return.

In a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES late Friday, Mr. Ogah’s media aide, Peter Kalu, said his principal decided to take shelter at an undisclosed location to avoid being attacked.

Mr. Kalu said a lot of threats had been directed towards Mr. Ogah, saying the politician would remain in hiding as he awaits the emergence of the State Chief Judge,  Theresa Uzoukwu, who had not been seen since Thursday.

Ms. Uzoukwu is believed to be hiding somewhere outside Umuahia as pressured mounted on her to administer the oath of office on Mr. Ogah.

Mr. Kalu said Mr. Ogah’s lawyers were  currently working to ensure that he was sworn in within acceptable legal framework if Ms. Uzoukwu remained in hiding for too long.