Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the , governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 | Obed Nnaji
Thousands of citizens of Abia State attended a solidarity rally for the embattled governor of the south eastern state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
The rally took place at the Government House in Umuahia, the state’s capital on Friday, July 1, 2016.
The Abia governor is facing a legal challenge from a bitter rival from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Charges Ogah. A federal high court in Abuja disqualified Dr. Ikpeazu on Wednesday on account of alleged forged tax returns.
Ikpeazu had filed an appeal and obtained a stay of execution, against the Justice Okon Abang judgement which threw Abia State into a leadership crisis by ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue a certificate of return to Ogah, who did not contest any election.
Meanwhile, a high court in Abia has issued an injunction against the swearing-in of Dr. Ogah. Reports from Abia say that the chief judge of the state has “disappeared”.
“We have become children of war in Abia, and we must fight war,” Governor Ikpeazu told the people who included wailing women.
See the photos of the event below. Click on any image to enlarge.
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 | Obed Nnaji
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the , governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 | Obed Nnaji
Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia State at a solidarity rally at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 | Obed Nnaji
Wailing Women: Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 | Obed Nnaji
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 | Obed Nnaji
Solidarity: Abia leaders visit Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 | Obed Nnaji
Abia Governor heading to the venue of solidarity rally to greet his supporters | Facebook
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 |Facebook
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 |Facebook
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 |Facebook
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 |Facebook
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 |Facebook
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 |Facebook
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 |Facebook
Thousands attend a solidarity rally for the governor of Abia State at the Government House in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday, July 1, 2016 |Facebook
