Ebonyi APC Decries Umahi’s Sack, To Appeal Judgment

• Says Court judgement biased

The Ebonyi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says Tuesday’s judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja sacking from office Governor David Umahi and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, cannot stand the test of time.

Rejecting the Court ruling, APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-emegha, said the presiding judge erred in law, and by his action abused the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The Court had ruled that Umahi and Igwe can no longer parade themselves as occupants of the said offices having dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

But according to Chief Okoro-emegha, there is a subsisting judgment of a High Court in Abakaliki, and also in Zamfara state, that said a serving Governor or his Deputy can not be sacked from office on account of their defection to another party.

The Party chieftain accused Justice Ekwor Iyang of acting the script of political detractors, orchestrated to embarrass the Governor and his Deputy in order to achieve cheap political points, even as he urged all APC members and the Governor’s supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.

Chief Okoro-emegha, who expressed the Party’s readiness to appeal the judgment, said; “The judgment was clearly biased and it’s unacceptable. Already there is a judgment from a High Court in Abakaliki and also in Zamfara state which said that a Governor and his Deputy cannot be removed from office on account of their defection to another party.

“However, there is no need for panic as the judgement will surely be appealed. All members of the APC and supporters of the Governor are advised to remain calm and law-abiding.”