A coalition of youth groups representing various ethnicities in Aba North, Abia State, is demanding the Abia State House of Assembly declare the constituency’s seat vacant. The group issued a seven-day ultimatum to Speaker Emmanuel Emereuwa, threatening city-wide protests if their demands are not met.
The Aba North seat has been embroiled in controversy since November 2023. A Court of Appeal judgement removed Destiny Nwagwu (LP) and declared Aaron Uzodike (PDP) the winner. However, Uzodike hasn’t been inaugurated despite his appeals.
The Coalition now claims the March 18, 2023, House of Assembly election was won by the LP candidate, not the PDP. Their leader, Uka Matthew, signed a protest letter demanding the seat be declared vacant within seven days.
The group expressed frustration at the lack of representation for six months and threatened street protests in Aba if the speaker refuses to comply with their ultimatum.
“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,” the group’s leader said.