After nine months of legal battles, social media disputes, and press releases, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emmanuel Ihuoma Emereuwa, has sworn in Hon Aaron Uzodike as the Member representing Aba North State Constituency.
Hon Uzodike, who contested the 2023 House of Assembly election under the PDP banner, was declared the winner by the Court of Appeal in Lagos. This followed INEC’s initial declaration of Destiny Akara Nwagwu as the winner on March 11, 2023. Uzodike contested the INEC result at the Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia. Although his case was initially dismissed, the Court of Appeal ultimately ruled in his favor.
The process has been marked by a contentious battle between the ruling Labour Party and the PDP, with delays attributed to a court injunction and other factors. The Speaker had noted that the Court of Appeal did not explicitly mandate Uzodike’s inauguration.
With the PDP increasing its representation in the House of Assembly, observers and residents of Abia State anticipate potential shifts in legislative dynamics when the House reconvenes after its scheduled recess, which begins today.
