Confusion in Ebonyi as PDP Lawmaker Declares Himself Governor, Sends Urgent Message to INEC
- Iduma Enwo Igariwey, a PDP member of the House of Reps, said he is now the governor of Ebonyi state in the eye of the law
- Igariwey said this after the PDP nominated him to replace Governor Umahi who was sacked by the Federal High Court for defecting to the APC
- The PDP lawmaker said by law, Umahi is no longer the governor of Ebonyi state and his continued stay in office is illegal
FCT, Abuja - Iduma Enwo Igariwey, a member of the House of Representatives, says in the eye of the law, he is the governor of Ebonyi State since Tuesday, March 8, when the Federal High Court, Abuja sacked David Umahi.
Legit.ng recalls that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja had in the judgment directed Umahi and his deputy to vacate their offices.
Source: Twitter
The judge also ordered INEC to immediately receive from the PDP the names of its candidates for replacement for the governor and deputy who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Umahi ceased to be governor by court order - Igariwey
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, March 10, Igariwey said that by the order made by Justice Ekwo, Umahi ceased to be governor of Ebonyi state, Business Day reported.
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Igariwey wondered why two days after the judgment Governor Umahi and his deputy still parade themselves as if they still occupy those offices.
He said:
“This is contemptuous of the clear orders of a court of competent jurisdiction. We recognise the fact that former governor David Umahi has a right of appeal.
"However, until the entire appeal process is exhausted, and in the absence of any order staying the operation of Justice Ekwo’s judgment, Mr. Umahi remains sacked, a former governor, who should desist from any conduct that threatens the peace of Ebonyi State, or diminishes over constitutional democracy."
What INEC should do, Igariwey reveals
Igariwey further stated that INEC has already being notified about the PDP's choices of replacement for Governor Umahi and his deputy.
He called on the electoral body to comply expeditiously with all the consequential orders of the court" and declared the names submitted by the PDP as governor and deputy governor.
"This, the INEC is expected to do, by issuing Certificates of Return," the lawmaker added.
He thanked the national leadership of the PDP for "the expeditious manner they have taken steps to give effect to the judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo."
The PDP had on Tuesday nominated Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu to replace Umahi and his deputy respectively.
Umahi: INEC speaks on verdict sacking Ebonyi governor, deputy
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was yet to receive the certified true copy of the court's judgment which sacked Governor Umahi and his deputy on Tuesday, March 8.
This was made known by Festus Okoye, INEC's national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja.
Okoye revealed that once the commission gets the said court document, it will convene a meeting on what next to do.
Umahi gets favourable court order
Meanwhile, Governor Umahi and his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, have obtained an interim order from a state high court that would last for seven days.
The order states that the duo (applicants) shall remain and not be removed from office as governor and deputy governor of the state, respectively.
Legit.ng gathers that the order was issued by Justice Henry Njoku, who had on Monday, February 28, 2022, ruled in favour of Umahi in a suit filled by the governorship candidate, Senator Sonny Ogbuorji of the APC.
Source: Legit.ng
