ABUJA — A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has removed from office, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his deputy Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe on Tuesday, for defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order in response to a petition filed by the PDP demanding the removal of Governor Umahi and his deputy, Dr. Igwe, from office.
Justice Ekwo ruled that the votes received by governor Umahi during the March 9, 2019 governorship belonged to the PDP and could not be legitimately transferred to the APC.
According to the court, by defecting to the APC, Umahi and his deputy not only left the PDP but also their votes.
He said the averments of the 2 defendants did not address the issue of defection rightly and frontally but rather resorted to general denial to affidavit evidence.
It ruled that the offices of governor and deputy governor in Ebonyi state “belong to the Plaintiff and no other political party” based on the outcome of the governorship election.
The judge ruled that the governor quit office and that the PDP submit the candidate of its first-runner-up from its primary or hold another primary.
- Enugu State Government Demolishes Ancestral Homes - May 2, 2024
- Labour Leader Frowns At Some Federal Government Policies - May 2, 2024
- NLC, TUC Call For Recruitment Of More Workers In Katsina - May 2, 2024
