Ikpeazu - I remain Abia governor 

  Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said he remains the governor of Abia State despite a court ruling ordering him to vacate the seat. 

  Ikpeazu was quoted in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, as saying that he will appeal the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja which sacked him for presenting false information to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, for the December 2014 governorship primary of the party.

  Justice Okon Abang had in a ruling on Monday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a certificate of return to Uche Ogah, who secured the second highest number of votes in the primary.

  But Ikpeazu, who said he still had faith in the judiciary and rule of law, argued that contrary to the ruling of the court, he did not provide false information.

He explained that when he needed his tax clearance in 2014 to contest the governorship election in the state he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue and was duly issue with his tax receipts.

  Ikpeazu who was an appointee of the Abia State Government from 2011 to 2014, when he served as the General Manager of the Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme as well as first Deputy General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, said his taxes were deducted at source within the period.

According to him, pending the determination of the matter by the appellate courts, he will remain governor in accordance with the laws of the country.