The Abakaliki Division of the Ebonyi State High Court on Monday dismissed a suit challenging the defection of Governor David Umahi from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Credible sources said the Court held that the Governor has not flouted any provision of the electoral act or the constitution to warrant his removal from office.
According to reports, Umahi, had in November 2020, dumped the PDP upon which he was elected two terms and moved over to the APC.
Consequently, the plaintiff, Sunny Ogbuoji, approached the Court by way of originating summons praying the court to hold that the Governor having defected to APC from the PDP through which he was elected ought to vacate the office of the Governor upon defection.
Senator Ogbuoji was the APC’s governorship candidate during the 2019 election.
But Governor Umahi in his defense reportedly argued that the plaintiff was relying on the pre-election/election qualification issues which ought not to be.
He further argued that there is no provision in the constitution that provides for defection as one of the grounds for the vacation or removal of a person as Governor or as Deputy Governor. He further cited certain judicial pronouncements on similar matters especially at Appellant Courts.
