Abia House Deputy Speaker under Fire for Leading Protest  against A’ Court Judgment

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Austin Nmeregini, has come under scathing criticism for leading a protest march in Umuahia over the judicial pronouncement on the Abia Central Senatorial seat.

Nmeregini, was part of the demonstration by Labour Party members on Monday, who expressed their displeasure over the Appeal Court judgment on the Abia Central senatorial election of February 25, 2023.

The Appeal Court in Lagos, had nullified the election of the Senate Minority Whip, Darlington Nwokocha, in favour of Col. Austin Akobundu of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Speaking at a press conference in Umuahia, yesterday, the Vice-chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Hon Abraham Amah descended heavily on the Abia Deputy Speaker.

He said the opposition party vehemently condemned “the irresponsible demonstration” which it had earlier warned against, saying that it was, “an affront on the judiciary and the separation of powers.”

“Despite our warnings, we are surprised that the Labour Party did not heed our advice and went ahead with the ill-advised protest which is not only unconscionable but also nonsensical and laughable,” he said.

Amah insisted that “the resort to infantile tactic” by LP supporters was needless “given that the Court of Appeal would never bow to such a hilarious arm twisting and reverse itself”.

“The resort by LP to protests and demonstrations is a new low in their unbridled quest for power and also a call to anarchy and the good people of Abia State would not sit idly by and watch it trample on the rights of others,” the opposition party spokesman said.

He stated that political parties should act as responsible organisations, noting that, “it is abominable that the Labour Party would stay mute when judgements go in its favour but prefer to bully society with protests whenever a judgement goes against it.”

Amah, said in all the 24 years it was in power in Abia State, “the PDP never called out its members to protest any judgement that did not favour it, much more disobey a court order.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chairman of Abia PDP, Obinna Nwachukwu has assured the party faithful that the party, “will never crack”, adding that “we are together.”

The party’s second in command, who spoke after the first post-election meeting of all stakeholders, including party’s state and local government executives, enjoined the party faithful to remain steadfast.