Members of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State on Monday, stormed roads and streets in Umuahia, the capital, to protest against the sacking of Senator Darlington Nwokocha from the Senate, by the Appeal Court. The angry LP members who were dressed in black attire, cried out at what they called judicial rascality and impunity and therefore, told the members of the Appeal Court Panel to reverse their ruling.
According to the protesters, the Saturday judgment was against the true reflection of happened at the February 25 polls, arguing that the people overwhelmingly voted for Darlington Nwokocha and the LP, and not Col Austin Akobundu (Rtd) of PDP. Led by the Abia State Chairman of the LP, Chief Ceakay Igara, Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Meregini and other party faithful, the protesters accused the Appeal Court Judges of allegedly being comprised, while also calling for their investigation.
The black-wearing LP members therefore, declared that the removal of Nwokocha cannot stand as according to them, it should be reversed. But responding to issue, the Abia PDP berated the leadership and members of the LP for embarking on the protest. The umbrella party in a statement signed by Elder Abraham Amah, the Vice Chairman and acting Publicity Secretary of Abia PDP, said his party went on appeal with 19 grounds of demands, most of which the LP and its candidate could not defend.
Amah, who cautioned the LP against setting the State ablaze with protests and unguarded statements, also warned the ruling party in Abia against blackmailing the image of respected Appeal Court Judges. The Abia PDP Vice Chairman who wondered why LP did not protest when rulings were given in LP”s favour, said it showed how ignorant that the party was.
The Abia opposition party further made it clear that Section 77 which was one of the grounds used in removing Senator Darlington Nwokocha, is a pre -election and post-election matters. PDP advised its members to remain calm and peaceful while congratulating Austin Akobundu for his victory. Meanwhile, a source from the PDP told News Echo that the new Abia Central Senator would be sworn-in this week by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
