A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state and his deputy, Eric Igwe over defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a judgement on Tuesday, March 8, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that their defection was unconstitutional, on grounds that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the election on March 2019 and not its candidate. Having defected to the APC, Governor Umahi and his deputy cannot transfer the mandate of the PDP to the APC, the court held.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. I will be recalled that shortly after the governor and his deputy crossed over to the APC, the speaker and some lawmakers joined them. In his ruling, Ekwo ordered all the lawmakers who defected to vacate their seats. The judge held that all salaries and allowances collected from the period of defection to the present should be forfeited to the government coffers.
Ahead of the general election, Ebonyi state governor, Engr. David Umahi has restated that his belief in God would help him realize his presidential ambition in 2023. Umahi who made this known on Sunday, February 27, during a service at the new Government House Chapel, Ochoudo Centenary City, Abakaliki. He attended the service alongside his wife, Chief Rachel Umahi, and other top government functionaries
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