INEC Reacts As Court Sacks Umahi In Ebonyi, Reveals Next Line Of Action

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is yet to receive the certified true copy of the Federal High Court order that sacked Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Chief Kelechi Igwe.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye made this known on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

He added that the electoral umpire will take a decision on what should be the next line of action once the necessary documents are received.

“The Commission has not been served with a copy of the said judgment.

“The Commission will meet and take a decision when it is served with a Certified True Copy of the judgment,” Okoye said.

Naija News recalls the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, sacked Umahi and Igwe, for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Delivering judgement on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered Umahi and his Deputy to immediately vacate their officer, asking INEC to replace them with a candidate from PDP.

He held that the total number of 393, 042 votes Umahi secured during the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi state, belonged to the PDP and cannot be transferred to the APC.

Ekwo said that following the outcome of the governorship election, the office of the governor and deputy governor in Ebonyi state, “belong to the Plaintiff and no other political party”.

It also asked INEC to replace them with a candidate from PDP.

In a swift move, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as its nominees for Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.

Naija News reports that the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, made this known at a media briefing on Tuesday evening.

But Dave Umahi has rejected the ruling of an Abuja high court which sacked him from office as the Governor of Ebonyi State.

Speaking to newsmen in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Umahi said that the ruling should not be recognized by his followers.

He tagged the ruling by Justice Inyang Ekwo of Abuja Federal High Court as “jungle justice that was purchased.”