2023: Court Removes Labour Party Governorship Candidate In Ebonyi

A Federal High Court, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has upheld the results of the primary election held on June 9 which produced Splendour Eze as the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state.

Justice Fatun Liman, who ruled on the case on Wednesday 3rd August, also nullified the primary that produced Edward Nkwegu as a second governorship candidate for the party, saying it was unconstitutional.

According to him, the party’s primary election held earlier in June was still authentic as the candidate, Eze never withdrew from the race.

Counsel to Eze, Barr Michael Odoh, who commended the judgement, stated that his client remains the party’s authentic candidate in Ebonyi as he has not withdrawn.

He said: “My client is the governorship candidate of LP and he has not withdrawn. And not until he withdraws, no other candidate can emerge as a candidate in that party.

“The court had upheld the primary that was conducted earlier in June in favour of Splendour and set aside the purported second primary held yesterday, August 2, 2022.

“People should abide by the electoral act and party guidelines. If you want to take over from a candidature of a political party, where a candidature was validly nominated and the name of the person already forwarded to INEC; the person has to withdraw his candidature in writing, then after that withdrawal, that is when another person can take over.

“My client, Splendour remains the governorship candidate of Labour Party in the state and no other person.”

In his reaction, Eze described the judgement as a victory for the youths and against money bags and commended the judiciary for standing up to its responsibilities.

According to him, with the victory, the coast was clear for me to emerge victorious at the 2023 general elections.