Dr. Uche Ogah, who was on Monday declared the rightful Governor of Abia State by an Abuja High Court, has accused the sitting Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, of sponsoring yesterday’s protests in parts of the state against the court ruling. A statement from Ogah’s office signed by one of his aides, Madufuru Chukwuma, accused Governor Ikpeazu of withdrawing N2 billion from the state’s coffers to sponsor protests against the judgement.

The statement quoted “insider information” as having it that Dr Ikpeazu on Tuesday summoned a meeting of the State Executive Council during which he allegedly “shared N10 million to each commissioner to mobilise people to disrupt peace in Abia.”

“We are calling on the Federal Govt. led by President Buhari, the Acting IGP, AIG Zone 9, Commissioner of Police, the DSS, and the EFCC to rise and stop their dangerous moves,” the statement said.

It added: “The same government of Abia that is owing workers 5 months salary has withdrawn N2b urgently to mobilise people for a million-man march in protest of a court order. Isn’t this pathetic and wicked?”

One of Governor Ikpeazu’s aides who spoke with News Express on the issue however dismissed the allegation with a wave of the hand. “It is hogwash,” he said.

News Express reports that Ikpeazu has lodged an appeal against the judgement removing from office for alleged tax evasion which made him unqualified to contest the December 2014 Abia PDP primary in which he defeated Dr. Ogah and a host of other aspirants.

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu’s supporters protesting against his court-ordered removal . . . on Wednesday in Umuahia. Photo by Ibeabuchi Abarikwu.