BREAKING: Court Sacks Ebonyi Gov. Dave Umahi, His Deputy From Office | READ WHY
Faith Ukanwa
Mar 08, 2022
BREAKING: Court Sacks Ebonyi Gov. Dave Umahi, His Deputy From Office | READ WHY
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and his deputy, Eric Igwe, as the number one and two citizens of the state.
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The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo ordered the duo to vacate their positions in the state on grounds that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the March 2019 election.
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According to the judge, Umahi and his deputy having defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), cannot transfer the mandate of the PDP where he won election, to the APC.
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Citing section 221 of the constitution, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the PDP to immediately send names of replacements to INEC so that fresh elections can be conducted.
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Justice Ekwo also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cease from recognizing Umahi and Igwe as the governor and deputy governor of the Ebonyi State, noting that their defection was illegal, null and unconstitutional.
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He ordered INEC to receive names of candidates from the PDP to replace Umahi and Igwe.
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"It can be noted that the Constitution does not deal with the issue of defection lightly,ÔÇØ the court stated.
"The 3rd and 4th Defendants cannot transfer the votes and victory of the Plaintiff on March 9, 2019, to the APC. Office of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state belongs to the PDP.
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"The option for Umahi and Igwe is to vacate office and wait for next election to contest election under the platform of its new party,ÔÇØ the judge ruled.
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— Faith Ukanwa