Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has dismissed the issuance, today by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of a Certificate of Return to Dr Uche Sampson Ogah as the rightful candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 Abia governorship election, which would pave the way for the swearing of Ogah as the new Governor of the state.

In a statement personally signed by Ikpeazu and issued this afternoon in Umuahia, he maintained that no one may be issued with a Certificate of Return, let alone be sworn-in as Governor when there is a subsisting appeal and application for a stay of execution.

The statement by Ikpeazu reads: “I have received with concern, report of the purported issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as governor of Abia State, despite pendency of a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“Our laws are clear on this matter. No one may be issued with a certificate of return let alone be sworn in as governor, when there is a subsisting appeal and application for stay.

“I want to appeal to Abians to remain calm and law-abiding in the face of this provocation, unless and until the appellant courts have conclusively resolve the appeal, the status remains, I am still the Governor of Abia State.”

As for at the time of filing this report, Ogah was yet to return to Umuahia as it was rumoured that he was returning to Umuahia to be sworn in.

•Photo shows Ikpeazu.