Declare Aba north assembly seat vacant, group tells speaker

The Aba North seat has been embroiled in controversy since November 27, 2023, when the Court of Appeal in Lagos ousted Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party and affirmed Aaron Uzodike of the Peoples Democratic Party as the rightful representative in the National Assembly.

Despite Uzodike’s legal victory, he has yet to be inaugurated by the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, leading to an unoccupied seat for over six months.

Recently, tensions escalated as the Coalition of Aba North Ethnic Youth Groups demanded action from the Speaker. They issued an ultimatum, giving him seven days to declare the seat vacant or face widespread protests across Aba. The group, led by Uka Matthew, emphasized the community’s need for representation, arguing that they cannot afford to remain voiceless any longer.

Challenging the appellate court’s decision, the coalition maintained that the March 18, 2024, House of Assembly election was won by Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party, not Aaron Uzodike of the PDP. They threatened street protests if their demand for a vacant seat declaration and subsequent fresh elections wasn’t met.

Adding to the pressure, a group of traditional rulers from the Aba North constituency echoed similar sentiments, urging the Speaker to declare the seat vacant, citing concerns about Uzodike’s health. However, Uzodike refuted these claims, asserting his readiness to serve and dismissing the traditional rulers’ legitimacy as representatives of the constituency.