Appeal Court Overturns Judgement Sacking Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the Abuja Federal High Court’s March 8 decision, which fired Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi and his deputy, Eric Kelechi Igwe, for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) (APC).

A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Haruna Tsanammi ruled on Friday that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, did not provide any punishment for a governor or deputy governor who defected from the party on which they were elected.

The appellate court also held that a political party that is dissatisfied with the defection of a governor or deputy governor has only one option: impeachment under the Constitution.

The court agreed with an earlier decision on the same issue issued by the court’s Enugu division. On March 8, 2022, Justice Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court ordered Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi and his deputy, Eric Igwe, to vacate their positions as governor and deputy on the grounds that the PDP won the election in March 2019 but not its candidate.

Justice Inyang Ekwo declared their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress illegal and unconstitutional, citing section 221 of the constitution.

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In other news, Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo, a Labour Party (LP) chieftain, believes that his party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has already won the 2023 presidential election.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the actor-turned-politician stated that the election is between Mr. Obi and others, but that statistics on the ground indicate that the former governor of Anambra State has already won the election.

When asked if the LP presidential candidate can truly win the election, Mr. Okonkwo stated that Peter Obi has demonstrated an uncanny character and the ability to serve the nation as an impactful leader.