Engr David Umahi has declared that he was still the governor of Ebonyi State, saying the judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo, which rendered him and his Deputy removed, on Tuesday, was purchased. Umahi said he was not surprised that the judge delivered the judgment in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, adding, “Ekwo was charged and needed to discharge.” Umahi stated this during a press conference, in Abakaliki, on Tuesday.
According to him, Justice Ekwo was on a mission to embarrass the All Progressives Congress and the Federal Government. Umahi said he will appeal the judgement by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Ekwo. Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, to return the mandate he got on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He said it was rather unfortunate that instead of seeking to appeal the judgment of the Abuja High Court, which sacked him, Umahi made a reckless statement attacking the judge.
Wike said this at the inauguration of the Eastern Bypass Road in Port Harcourt on Saturday, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri. Additing his voice to the crossfire, a former Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, Prof. Benard Odo, has said that the Abuja High Court judgement that ousted Governor Dave Umahi would “strengthen the democratic space in the country”.
The court had removed Umahi along with his deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi-Igwe, for defecting from the People’s Democratic Party on whose platform they won the election in 2019, to the rival All Progressives Congress. Also sacked were 17 lawmakers who defected along with the duo. Odoh, in a statement on Thursday in Abakaliki, declared that the court verdict would enrich the nation’s adjudicatory system and deepen party democracy in Nigeria.
I am still governor, I feel sorry for the Nigerian judiciary – Umahi
“I am still the Governor of Ebonyi State and there is no tension at all. In the first place, there is no constitutional provision for any hatchet man to remove a governor. “There are three ways whereby a governor can vacate his office: it is either by death, resignation and impeachment. There is no other constitutional provision that empowers a hatchet man to turn the Constitution upside down. “I have listened to the judgment of Inyang Ekwo and it’s very obvious that he was on a mission. He was making all effort to upturn the rulings of the Appeal and Supreme Courts, on issues like this.
“We have heard the rumours before now that he was determined to give judgement against all known laws and the Constitution, first to embarrass the APC, and to equally embarrass the Federal Government. “For me, I do not feel worried; but, I feel so bad for the judicial in Nigeria. The executives may have problems; the legislature may have problems, but the moment justice could be purchased, then we are in trouble in Nigeria.
“It’s obvious that the ruling this afternoon is clear evidence that this country is in trouble. And let me tell you, this same judge, has over ten cases against the Ebonyi State Government with him. And you can imagine what he is going to rule. “We have petitioned him to NJC and we will follow it up to the end to ensure that this man (Ekwo) is brought to justice. I want you to disregard the judgement because it’s null and void.”
PDP’ll pursue Umahi’s defection to Supreme Court – Wike
Look at a governor making a reckless statement simply because a judge made a judgment according to his own opinion, which you are entitled to appeal up to the Supreme Court. “You have called somebody a thief in the market and you’re saying I’m sorry. It is late. That your sorry, we the members of the public, we don’t take it.” “It was we members of the PDP who took Governor Umahi to court to demand the mandate of the party from him. “If our party had done this earlier when people were leaving in the National Assembly, we wouldn’t have had the problem we are having today. “That is one of the problems of party leadership. People cannot come out and take the bull by the horns. So, Governor Umahi, be assured that the PDP will continue this matter down to the Supreme Court. We will continue with the matter.” “However, for reasonable and discerning minds, the prevailing situation, including the varied interpretations, are all within the confines of what democracy permits,” “You carry the votes of another party and join another party. Can you transfer votes? You work hard for somebody to win an election and tomorrow, the person says I have defected. “If you have defected, leave the seat if you know it’s easy. And this will check most of these political harlots, who will never sit in one place.” As someone who has, and will always speak and stand for the Ebonyi masses, I am optimistic that this verdict, whichever way the pendulum swings, will indeed help in enriching the Nigerian adjudicatory system on election matter.” “There has not been judicial precedence of this kind since the advent of the Fourth Republic, hence the varied interpretations and reactions the verdict has generated.
