Abia, Trademore, APGA bicker over use of event centre as campaign office
A cold war is currently brewing between Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe, Abia All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections and trademore International Holdings Nigeria limited, on one hand and the Abia State Government on the other side, over the use of the event centre at okpara Square, Umuahia in Umuahia North local Government Area, as political party office.
the Abia State Government in a letter, signed by the Chris ezem, secretary to the State Government, dated September 27, 2022 and addressed to emmanuel N. Mbaka, managing director and chief executive, Platinium Mortgage Bank limited, stated that Governor okezie Ikpeazu has not approved the use of the facility for political party office.
the proposed event centre was formerly ogumabiri Market, but demolished by the theodore orji administration to ease traffic at that axis of Umuahia.
the directive further advised Mbaka to rescind or withdraw any approval given to any Party in respect of the said space.
In a swift reaction, Nwoke John Kalu, lead partner at N.J Kalu and Company and legal adviser totrademore Nigeria limited, argued that the property was rented to Gregory Ibe, for his foundation-greg Ibe Medical foundation and should not be used as political Party secretariat.
He stated that investigation has revealed that the property is been used as All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) State secretariat without authorization from trademore Nigeria limited, thereby going contrary to the provision of Clause 4 and 8 of the tenancy agreement
the letter instructed Greg Ibe to revert back to the original terms of the tenancy agreement or be given notice to vacate the facility.
In a suit before High court of Abia, sitting in Umunneochi Judicial Division, holding at Nkwoagu by v C edeja and P. C Dominics, solicitors to Greg Iyke foundation and Gregory Ibe, is seeking an order permitting and allowing 2nd applicant (Greg Ibe) to use the left wing of trademore event Centre, situated at okpara Square, Umuahia, which the applicant rented on or about 1st day of July, 2022, as political party secretariat pending the institution and hearing of the substantive suit.
Nwoke John Kalu, solicitor to trademore Holdings Nigeria limited said the property was originally rented to Ibe for used, as his foundation office, which he later converted to APGA party office.