Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State
Umahi’s sack: Ebonyi APC berates PDP for demanding CoR from INEC
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Ebonyi Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated the main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for demanding a certificate of return (CoR) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The APC described such demand from the PDP as ‘funny and childish.’
A Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, had last Tuesday, ordered Governor David Umahi and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe to vacate their offices for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC)from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Court also ordered the PDP to submit names to INEC as their replacement.
In compliance to the Court order, the PDP nominated the member representing Afikpo North/South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Iduma Igariwey and the former Caretaker Chairman of the party, Chief Fred Udogu, as Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively.
Following delay from INEC, the PDP nominees, Messrs Idu and Udeogu had held press conference in Abuja last week, where they demanded that they be with certificates of return by INEC, in line with the court order.
But the State Chairman of APC, Chief Stanley Okoro-emegha while briefing Journalists on Wednesday, described the demand by the PDP as laughable.
Okoro-emegha accused the PDP of being behind the crisis and insecurity in the State.
He said: “APC Ebonyi State has described as foolishness of the highest order by Ebonyi PDP in demanding for certificate of return from INEC for their purported candidates for an election their said candidates never participated.
“The constitution of Nigeria section 285(13) and the amended electoral laws both 2010 and 2022 including all known cases of both Appeal and Supreme court decisions, already made it clear that you cannot benefit or sue or be used for an election you did not participate.
“It is therefore very funny and childish for PDP to be requesting for certificate of Return from INEC, even without regards to the Abakaliki court order which is a judgement in REM on the seat of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.
“Ebonyi PDP is warned to desist from deceiving herself and the general public knowing very well that the said judgement has since been appealed and notice of appeal and stay of execution served on PDP.
“We are now aware of who and who are behind the crisis/cases against Ebonyi State Government including all the insecurity in the state since the Governor defected from PDP to APC.
“APC Ebonyi State will deal decisively with anyone who leaves his Facebook foolishness in the name of being nominated as candidate and steps Ebonyi State further their crisis and insecurity.
“Ebonyi State Government is stable and all projects and programmes are ongoing and will never stop. Ebonyi are requested to be calm and vigilant and assured that justice is already at hand”, he said.
