The Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Okechukwu Azubuike, has described the upholding of his election victory by the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, as an act of God.

The Speaker, who contested under platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, was dragged to the appeal court by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Martinez Ezechi Ihuoma, after the APGA candidate lost at the Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia.

Rt. Hon. Azubuike, who is also the Deputy National Chairman, Conference of Speakers f Nigeria, thanked Isiala Ngwa North PDP, the State Executive and PDP, the State Executive and PDP members in the state for all their efforts and support.

He was speaking when he received in audience his legal team led by Barrister Nnamdi Ahaiwe.

Earlier in his speech, Barr. Ahaiwe said they came to congratulate the Speaker for his victory and commend the honourable jurists of the Court of Appeal, Owerri, for their erudite judgment. He maintained that “the impeccable decision of the court has confirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and the bedrock of democracy.”

Barr. Ahaiwe urged the Speaker “to execute his well-articulated progressive legislative roadmap of the 6th Assembly, tailored towards pragmatic realisation of the vision and mission of the present administration led by Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, PhD.”

In his contribution, a member of the legal team, Barr. Azubuike Onuoha, stressed that all forms of distractions have been removed by the court verdict. He expressed the belief that with the class of vibrant legislators in the 6th Assembly, Abians would soon begin to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Barr. Onuoha added that he is optimistic the remaining matters still pending in court, particularly the governorship appeal, would soon be resolved in favour of PDP candidates, thus enabling the party to fast-track the implementation of its manifesto.

•Photo shows Rt. Hon. Azubuike.