2023: Influential Southeast Governor Finally Gets Pass To Contest for Senator, 2 Others
- David Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi state, has been able to make the final list of senatorial candidates in the state after the controversy that trailed his emergence
- The governor had contested for the APC presidential ticket but lost to Bola Tinubu in the party's primary
- However, his brother, Austin, who had earlier won the senatorial ticket, stepped down for him, and another primary was conducted where he won unopposed, but INEC did not publish his name in June
Abakaliki, Ebonyi - The governor of Ebonyi state and chairman of the southeast governors’ forum, David Umahi, has finally made the list of the state’s senatorial candidates in 2023.
The list includes a former governor in the state, Sam Egwu and an ex-member of the house of representatives, Linus Okorie, The Nation reported.
Source: Facebook
Why Umahi's name was not first published as APC candidate?
Umahi’s name was not included in the candidates’ list released in June over the controversy that trailed his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the election.
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The governor had contested for the party’s presidential ticket but lost to Bola Tinubu, while his younger brother, Austin, won the party’s Ebonyi south senatorial primary in May.
However, Austin stepped down for his elder brother, leading to a rerun primary, where the governor contested unopposed.
However, in June, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not list his name as the candidate while leaving the position vacant.
Why did Umahi drag INEC to court?
The governor challenged the electoral commission in court, asking the federal high court to compel the electoral body to accept his name as the candidate of the party.
The runner-up to the first primary, Ann Agom-Eze, also joined the suit and asked the court to recognise her as the party’s candidate.
Justice Fatun Riman, in his ruling, however, ordered another primary with Agom Eze and any other interested fresh candidates allowed to participate.
But the APC in Ebonyi obtained an order from the Federal High Court to go ahead with the primary, participate which Mr Umahi won even as the matter at the appeal court is still on.
2023: “I like what Obi is doing, I plan to Host him in my state”, popular APC governor declares
Legit.ng earlier reported that the governor of Ebonyi state, Dave Umahi has expressed his love and admiration for the personality of Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate.
Governor Umahi during a live telecast described Mr. Obi as his friend confessing that he likes what he is doing in preparations for the general elections.
Despite being on the opposition side, the governor stated that he will be hosting Mr. Obi publicly in his state.
Source: Legit.ng
