The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has submitted names to INEC to be issued certificate of return as new governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State in compliance the Federal High Court ruling earlier today.
PDP forwarded the name of Iduma Igariwey, a serving member of the House of Representative, as the new governor, and Fed Udogwu as deputy governor to INEC office, press statement by the party’s media department said.
The action of PDP came hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja sacked Dave Umahi and Eric Igwe as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State respectively. Justice Inyang Ekwo said that votes cast on election belong to political party not candidate, therefore Umahi can not transfer PDP' victory to APC.
“The 3rd and 4th Defendants cannot transfer the votes and victory of the Plaintiff on March 9, 2019, to the APC. Office of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state belongs to the PPD."
Dave Umahi was elected governor of Ebonyi in 2015 and 2019 on the platform of PDP but defected to APC in 2021.
The court consequently, declared that under the democratic system operated in Nigeria, the plaintiff (PDP) won the majority of votes during the election and is entitled to enjoy same till end of tenure of office for which the election was made.
Read also: Court Sacks Ebonyi State Governor, His Deputy for Defecting to APC
There is still doubt if INEC will implement the judgement now as Dave Umahi still has appeal window up to the Supreme Court.
Although, the Supreme Court had previously ruled that any politicians who abandon the political platform that sponsored their election will lose such seats. But politicians have continued to leverage the provision that allows them to switch parties if there’s a (factional) crisis within their party.
While reacting to the judgement this afternoon, Dave Umahi vowed to remain in the office till 2023 when his tenure ends, but didn’t say whether he intends to appeal the ruling.