The Coalition of Aba North Ethnic Youth Groups has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emereuwa, to declare the Aba North seat vacant.
The Aba North seat has been contentious since November 27, 2023, when the Court of Appeal in Lagos removed Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party (LP) and declared Aaron Uzodike of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful representative.
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Despite Uzodike’s appeals, he has not been inaugurated, leaving the seat vacant since November 2023.
The Coalition of Aba North Ethnic Youth Groups demanded on Friday that the Speaker declare the seat vacant within seven days or face a city-wide protest in Aba.
In a protest letter signed by the group’s leader, Uka Matthew, and other members, they expressed frustration at being without representation in the Abia State House of Assembly for six months, stressing the need for their constituency to have a voice.
The Coalition also argued that the March 18, 2024, House of Assembly election was legitimately won by Destiny Nwagwu of LP, not Aaron Uzodike of the PDP, despite Uzodike’s victory in the Court of Appeal.
Uka Matthew warned that if the Speaker did not comply with their demand, the Coalition would take to the streets in protest.
“We are calling on our brother the Speaker to do the needful and declare the ABA North State constituency seat vacant so that INEC can conduct a fresh election.
We voted for Destiny Nwagwu, we cannot allow Aaron who lost even in his polling unit to represent us,” he stated.
Earlier, the traditional rulers from the Aba North constituency had also urged the Speaker to declare the seat vacant, citing Aaron Uzodike’s alleged health issues.
However, Uzodike, in an April interview with journalists in Umuahia, refuted these claims, asserting that he is healthy and prepared to serve if sworn in.
He also labeled the traditional rulers calling for the vacancy as imposters from other constituencies.
