The Ebonyi state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has rejected the judgement delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja citing as illegal the defection of the state governor, Dave Umahi and his Deputy along with members of the state Assembly from the opposition PDP to the rulling APC, thereby sacking them all from office.
Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, in a reaction said the presiding judge erred in his judgement, describing it as an abuse of the constitution.
He stated that there was already subsisting judgement of a High Court in Abakaliki, and also in Zamfara State which ruled that a serving governor or his deputy could not be sacked from office on account of their defection to another party.
Also, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Mr Ogbuatu Chidi Simba, said the PDP only set out to distract Umahi, adding that it was an effort in futility.
Umahi’s sack is victory for all Ebonyians – PDP
Meanwhile, Speaking to one of our correspondents, in a telephone interview, on Tuesday, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Mr Chika Nwoba, said the state was notorious for political indiscipline, injustice and anarchy, under the current government.
“It’s victory for all Ebonyians. This marks an era of political indiscipline and irregularities in the state.”
Another chieftain of the PDP, in the state and former Commissioner for Information, Chief Abia Onyike, said the judgment of the Federal High Court was one of the greatest legal pronouncements in Nigerian political history.
At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the PDP National Chairman, Ayu said, “After due consultations with other colleagues, we are happy to inform you that for the position of governor, the party, after due consultations with stakeholders in Ebonyi State, is putting forward honourable Iduma Igariwe as the new governor,” Ayu said.
“For position of deputy governor, the party is putting forward Mr Fred Udogwu.”
He added that certificates of return should be given to the two nominees
