A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and his Deputy, Eric Igwe, to vacate their seats as the sitting governor and deputy respectively, on grounds that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the election on March 2019 and not its candidate.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Justice Inyang Ekwo said: “Having defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Umahi and his deputy cannot transfer the mandate of the PDP to the APC”.
Citing section 221 of the constitution, Justice Ekwo, therefore, ordered the PDP to immediately send names of replacements to INEC so that fresh elections can be conducted.
Justice Ekwo also ordered the lawmakers who dumped the PDP in 2020 following the defection of Umahi, and Igwe to the APC to vacate their seats.
In a new development, the PDP has nominated Iduma Enwo Igariwey as replacement for Governor David Umahi, and Fred Udeogu as Deputy Governor.
