I’m still Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi thunders, amidst Court Order

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has rejected the ruling of an Abuja Federal High Court which sacked him from office, insisting that he is still the governor of the state.

This is in a swift reaction to the verdict of a Federal High Court in Abuja had today, which had sacked Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Dave Umahi, and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, on account of their unlawful defection from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, the governor said the ruling would be disregarded by his followers.

Addressing journalists in his office in Abakaliki, Governor Umahi described the ruling as “jungle justice that was purchased.”

The governor insisted that such ruling was not a good development for the Judiciary.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of an Abuja Federal High Court had sacked Umahi as governor of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe from office.

The judge sacked Umahi and his Deputy over their unlawful defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He ruled that the governor and his Deputy’s defection was unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void.

The judge ordered them to vacate their offices immediately.

Ekwo held that the vote that brought the governor and his Deputy into office belonged to the PDP and that they cannot hold onto the votes having elected to jettison the party that nominated them.

Meanwhile, the court declared their defection unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and ordered them to immediately vacate their offices.

Justice Inyang Ekwo in a judgment on Tuesday ordered Umahi and his deputy to immediately stop holding themselves out as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.

The judge held that the votes that brought them to office belonged to the PDP and cannot hold on to the votes having elected to jettison the party that nominated them.

Justice Ekwo also held that the votes cast for PDP in the March 9, 2019 governorship election are not transferrable to the APC that failed in the election.