Abia State House of Assembly Speaker, Emmanuel Emereuwa, has assured Aaron Uzordike, the embattled Peoles Democratic Party member-elect for Aba North constituency, that he will be inaugurated soon, without specifying a date.
The assurance comes after the Appeal Court in Lagos upheld Uzordike’s victory in the March 2023 Assembly election, validating INEC’s declaration.
Emereuwa attributed the delay in inauguration to ongoing legal battles between Uzordike and Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party, including a court judgement ordering the Speaker to swear in Uzordike or face jail time.
The Speaker made these comments during a press briefing marking the 8th Assembly’s first anniversary, seeking understanding and patience from all parties involved.
“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 in Umuahia, the state capital, he said the chairman, Asifiro Okere, gave the instruction, according to Leadership.
“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.
