I’m still Gov, court's ruling was purchased, Umahi reacts

Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, has said that he was still the governor of the state after being sacked by the federal high court in Abuja.

Umahi maintained that the judgement of Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday was purchased, adding that the judgment was delivered in favour of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

 

Umahi stated this during a press conference, in Abakaliki, on Tuesday. "I am still the Governor of Ebonyi State and there is no tension at all. In the first place, there is no constitutional provision for any hatchet man to remove a governor.

"There are three ways whereby a governor can vacate his office: it is either by death, resignation and impeachment. 

"There is no other constitutional provision that empowers a hatchet man to turn the Constitution upside down.

"I have listened to the judgement of Inyang Ekwo and it’s very obvious that he was on a mission. He was making all effort to upturn the rulings of the Appeal and Supreme Courts, on issues like this.

"We have heard the rumours before now that he was determined to give judgement against all known laws and the Constitution, first to embarrass the APC, and to equally embarrass the Federal Government.

"For me, I do not feel worried; but, I feel so bad for the judicial in Nigeria. The executives may have problems; the legislature may have problems, but the moment justice could be purchased, then we are in trouble in Nigeria.

"It’s obvious that the ruling this afternoon is clear evidence that this country is in trouble. And let me tell you, this same judge, has over ten cases against the Ebonyi State Government with him. And you can imagine what he is going to rule.

"We have petitioned him to NJC and we will follow it up to the end to ensure that this man (Ekwo) is brought to justice. I want you to disregard the judgement because it’s null and void."

Umahi and his deputy were sacked today by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

The judge ruled that Governor Umahi's total of 393, 042 votes cast in the Ebonyi state governorship election on March 9, 2019 belonged to the PDP and could not be legitimately transferred to the APC, read (here)