Concerted efforts by some forces to ensure that the member elect forOgutaStateconstituency seat, Eugene Dibiagwu was not sworn – in by the Imo State House of Assembly suffered yet another set back yesterday as the Federal High Court, in Portharcourt could not sit to hear the matter.
After a High Court in Owerri presided by Justice K. O Orjiako had vacated an interim injunction restraining the Imo House from swearing in Dibiagwu, the ruling party in the state, APGA with four others approached the Federal High court Portharcourt to ask for an interim injunction restraining the Speaker, Clerk and members of Imo House of Assembly from swearing – in Dibiagwu, pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice pending before the court.
Upon reading the affidavit in support of the motion exparte sworn to by Elder Chief Ukadike Chinedu, State Chairman of Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Imo State, after hearing his counsel Dr W. Egbewole, the court ruled that leave be granted to the applicants CDC, APGA, ALP, APN, to issue and serve the originating summons and all other processes in the case in Owerri, and Abuja and other affected persons like INEC and Dibiagwu to appear in court on the 12th day of September 2012 to show cause why the order of interim injunction being sought should not be granted.
Contrary to the expectation of APGA and state government functionaries who no doubt are pulling strings to ensure Dibiagwu is not sworn – in, the judges could not seat yesterday due to the involvement of the presiding judge in a seminar /workshop for judicial officers in Uyo.
The decision to adjourn the matter to 14th September 2012 did not go down well with APGA and state government operatives who believe that time is running out on them to secure another order of interim injunction.
In view of the September 18, 2012 resumption date for Imo lawmakers after the two week vacation for legislative functions in far – away South Africa, those interested in frustrating Dibiagwu of the PDP have only two working days to actualize their dreams of securing the injunction. A Government House source in Owerri, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that fear has gripped key players of APGA government and principal officers of the House who are of APGA over the minor shift in date for the hearing of the matter.
Gov Rochas Okorocha had at a recent breakfast chat with print media owners in Owerri revealed that he is the target of the victory of Dibiagwu for the Oguta seat.
Okorocha said that the court victory of Dibiagwu and recent bye – election that produced him was a mere smoke – screen intended to pursue him out of office PDP and their collaborators.
The Governor said that Dibiagwu is not the issue but the legality of the August 11, 2012 bye – election which rubbished the May 6, 2011 Supplementary Election that brought him into power. While accusing INEC of playing double standard in the whole affair, Okorocha said that Senator Araraume of ACN and former Governor Ikedi Ohakim are seeking such means to challenge his position after Supreme Court had okayed his victory.
