- Umahi Rejects Ruling, Describes it as Jungle Justice
- PDP Submits Names of Replacements
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Dave Umahi, and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, on account of their unlawful defection from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to report the court declared their defection unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and ordered them to immediately vacate their offices.
Justice Inyang Ekwo in a judgment earlier today ordered Umahi and his deputy to immediately stop holding themselves out as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.
The judge held that the votes that brought them to office belonged to the PDP and cannot hold on to the votes having elected to jettison the party that nominated them.
Justice Ekwo also held that the votes cast for PDP in the March 9, 2019 governorship election are not transferrable to the APC that failed in the election.
Umahi Reacts:
In a swift response however, Umahi on Tuesday maintained that he remains the Governor of the State not minding the ruling by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Briefing Newsmen in his office at the new Government House, Abakaliki, Governor Umahi described the ruling as “jungle justice that was purchased” He also pointed out that the ruling was not a good development for the Judiciary.
Court Orders Lawmakers to Vacate Seats:
The Federal High Court also ordered 16 lawmakers from Ebonyi to vacate their seats after their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, ordered the lawmakers to stop parading themselves as representatives of the people after dumping the party on which platform they were elected into the house of assembly.Some of the lawmakers include Odefa Obasi Odefa, Victor Chukwu, Kingsley Ikoro, Joseph Ununu, Nkemka Okoro, among others.
Recall that Justice Ekwo had, on January 19, fixed Tuesday, 8th March, 2022 for the judgment in the suit filed by the PDP against the governor and his deputy.
PDP SSubmits Names of Replacements:
Following the court order for the governor of Ebonyi state and his Deputy governor to vacate their seats , the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has submitted the names of its nominees for governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi, respectively, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking on the development, Iyorchia Ayu, PDP national chairman, at a media briefing on Tuesday, said they were happy to inform that for the position of governor, the party, after due consultations with stakeholders in Ebonyi state, was putting forward honourable Iduma Igariwe as the new governor and for the position of deputy governor, the party is putting forward Mr Fred Udogwu.
