There is a scaring security presence of security agents in Umuahia, capital of Abia State on Friday as the governorship election petition tribunal is set to deliver judgement in the governorship election.
The victory of Dr. Alex Otti as governor of Abia State on the platform of the Labour was being challenged by the candidacies of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress.
PDP’s candidate, Okey Ahiwe and APC’counterpart, Ikechi Emenike, have petitioned Abia State Governorship Election Petition, seeking nullification of Otti’s election and declare them winner.
Journalists struggling to cover the proceeding of the Court are finding it difficult to access the premises of the Court.
They are being subjected to rigorous screening by a combined team of security agents.
Some journalists from popular media houses were allowed, while other were asked to remain behind, awaiting clearing from higher authority.
After the screening, the tribunal judges entered the courtroom, and the counsels to the various parties announced their appearances, and the initial formalities were done.
However, the tribunal Chairman refuted reports that the litigants were told not to be in court, dismissing such reports as false.
Labour Party Chairman in the state, Ceekay Igara and a member representing Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South federal constituency, Hon Ginger Onwusibe (LP), among others, were sighted in the courtroom.
Also, PDP chieftains, including the former Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Esomonu Ugochukwu, were also sighted in the court.
