Headlines
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Dave Umahi, and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe
By Derrick Bangura
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Dave Umahi, and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, for illegally defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressives Congress APC (APC).
The court ruled that their defection was illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void, and ordered them to vacate their positions immediately.
In a ruling issued on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered Umahi and his deputy to cease acting as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.
The judge held that the votes that brought them to office belonged to the PDP and cannot hold on to the votes having elected to jettison the party that nominated them.
Justice Ekwo also held that the votes cast for PDP in the March 9, 2019 governorship election are not transferrable to the APC that failed in the election.
ustice Inyang Eden Ekwo fixed Tuesday afternoon to deliver the make or mar verdict after counsel to the governor, Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh SAN, argued fresh motions seeking to give new directions to the suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 920/21 and FHC/ABJ/CS/ 1041/21.
PDP in an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/920/2021, is principally asking the court to make a declaration that by defecting from the party on which they were sponsored and elected as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State to the APC, a political party that did not win the election, they have resigned or are deemed to have resigned from office.
The crux of the PDP’s case is that the governor and his deputy defected and relinquished their membership of the PDP on which platform they contested and won the governorship election, and by so doing are deemed to have lost the majority votes scored at the election.
They claimed that the two defendants should be ordered by the court to vacate their respective offices as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.
Although the judgment was slated for this morning, the governor and his deputy, however, came up with a fresh application challenging the affidavit evidence of the PDP in support of the originating summons.
They argued that the affidavit evidence has lost probate value and became incompetent in law because it was deposed to by a lawyer in the legal team of PDP.
Umahi and Igwe asked the court to void the case of PDP against them on account of the alleged flawed affidavit evidence.
In a vehement opposition, PDP through its counsel, Emmanuel Ukala SAN asked the judge to dismiss the fresh arguments of the governor and his deputy on the ground that the issue they raised cannot be of help to them.
Ukala insisted that the affidavit in question was in respect of proceedings witnessed in court by the lawyer and that the point of the two defendants had no bearing with the defection suit.
Justice Ekwo after taking arguments announced he will deliver a ruling in the fresh motions and then proceed to give judgment in the afternoon today.
At the time of this report, the camp of the governor and his deputy appeared jittery as their followers and sympathizers gathered around the court premises busy making phone calls to their principals.
Other defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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