The embattled Governor of Abia state, Okezie Ikpeazu has insisted that he is still in charge of the state.

This is following reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a certificate of return to Uche Ogah as the new Governor of the state.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High court sitting in Abuja gave an order on June 27, 2016, sacking Ikpeazu as Governor.

The Governor was alleged to have given false information to his party, the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the governorship primaries in December 2014.

Ikpeazu, in a swift reaction, told Abia residents that he would appeal the ruling, adding that he is still the Governor.

Reacting to Today’s report, he issued a statement saying “I have received with concern, report of the purported issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as governor of Abia State, despite dependency of a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“Our laws are clear on this matter. No one may be issued with a certificate of return let alone be sworn in as governor, when there is a subsisting appeal and application for stay.

“I want to appeal to Abians to remain calm and law abiding in the face of this provocation, unless and until the appellant courts have conclusively resolve the appeal, the status remains, I am still the Governor of Abia State.”

According to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Ikpeazu has filed an application for stay of execution at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.