Respite today came the way of Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as an Abuja High Court ruled that he should remain in office, pending the conclusion of the challenge to his eligibility for the office.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, gave the ruling while adjourning to next Thursday, hearing on the application for stay of execution by Ikpeazu against Abang’s ruling in favour of Uche Ogah.

The judge also adjourned hearing till Thursday, July 7, Ogah’s application seeking to vacate the order by Justice Chibuzo Ahuchaogu of an Abia State High Court, that restrained the Chief Judge of Abia State from swearing him in.

In a related development, a Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, has reserved ruling for Friday, July 8, in a suit filed by another PDP governorship aspirant, Mr. Friday Nwosu, seeking to be declared Abia State Governor. Nwosu claims that both Ikpeazu and Ogah, who came first and second respectively during the party’s primary election held in December 2014, are unqualified to be governor.

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.