By Charles Kumolu

The South-East Democratic Coalition ,SEDC, and  Abia Progressives Forum, APF, have called on Abia State government to reconsider its decision to conduct local government elections before the Supreme Court delivers judgment on the Federal High Court verdict which earlier sacked Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the state governor.

It also said its call was informed by the belief that it would be wrong to conduct the exercise when there was litigation over the governorship seat.

In a joint statement by  Messrs Maduka Okebanama, Eunice Oke,  Ndu Ahaiwe and  Okey Adibe, the groups expressed confidence that the apex court would uphold the earlier judgment on the matter.

The statement read:  ”Impressions being created by officials of Abia State government to the effect that anything short of retaining Ikpeazu as governor would cause a crisis in the state are mischievous. The people of the state would rather come out in celebration by the time Ogah is declared as the authentic governor of the state.

“We know their antics. It’s a normal thing we were used to in the past 16 years. The same people will ignite the fire and run out again to tell us there is fire coming. Today,  people are dying of poverty, hunger and starvation occasioned by non-payment of their salaries.

“Today, pensioners are dying daily in Abia because the state government has refused to pay their pensions. Roads in Aba have completely collapsed.’’