The State High Court sitting in Abakaliki has dismissed the suit challenging the defection of Governor Umahi of Ebonyi State from People's Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Delivering his judgment, the Presiding Judge, His Lordship, Hon Justice Henry Njoku, stated that the plaintiff came by originating summons seeking the Court to hold that the defendant, Governor of Ebonyi State, having defected to APC from the Party through which he was elected ought to vacate the office of the Governor upon defection and that the plaintiff having come second in the 2019 election be sworn in instead.
Though the plaintiff did not come through relevant rules of Court to institute their originating summons, the Court still went ahead in the interest of substantive justice to hear the matter of the propriety of the defection of Governor Umahi from PDP to APC
The plaintiff sought to determine whether Governor Umahi having defected to APC can still continue to be Governor, having regards to the provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act as relied upon by the plaintiff and that having come second in the Governorship election ought to be sworn in. The defendant in his argument canvassed that the plaintiff was relying on the pre-election/election qualification issues, arguing that there is no provision in the constitution that provides for defection as one of the grounds for the vacation or removal of a person as Governor or as Deputy Governor. He alluded to judicial authorities of Appellant Courts that have settled the matter.
Considering the submissions of both parties, the Court held that having regard to section 188 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the defendant (Governor Umahi) has not offended any provision of the Constitution or the Electoral Act in his defection to APC. The Court further held that having regard to section 308 of the Constitution, it is even wrong to institute criminal or civil proceedings against the office of the Governor. The Court therefore dismissed in its entirety, the suit filed by the plaintiff for lacking in merit and awarded Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00) as damages against the plaintiff
Publisher: Don Martyn L.O
Ikeduru APC Media Hub
08032950897
Ikeduruapcmediahub@gmail.com
1 Comments
IT'S YOUTH O'CLOCK IN MBAIKE & Engr. Akarachi Amadi is the time
ReplyDeletePromise C. Agbaso
I started hearing that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow right from when I was just 10, funny enough after over 2 decades, the deceiving rhyme is still being played, could it be that the youth have been hoodwinked or that no one is ever qualified? , well this is a BIG question begging for answer.
It is no doubt that Nigeria leaders do not have the interest of their youths at heart that is why every political dispensation, you see old men jostling for various political positions there by making the youth to shy away from contesting for certain political position.
Thank God for Engineer Akarachi Amadi for we believed that a time like this will surely come and there must be light at the dark end of the tunnel.
Nigeria youth, and Mbaitolu-Ikeduru in particular cannot wait to support and rally round a youth per -excellence who is passionate to serve the people in good conscience and with sincerity of purpose, this can only be a man who have been tested and trusted in all aspect of human endeavors.
Amadi is a seasoned and astute Engineer, the founder of Integrity Group Initiative and also founder of Akarachi Foundation and many more.
Come 2023 Mbaike will make no mistake in throwing their support to a man who has the capacity to deliver…
It is time for the youth to start having a voice in Nigeria politics and this can only be achieved by massive support to Enginner Akarachi Amadi.
Engr. Akarachi's legacies are one that can never be quantified or measured in any way, having sponsored Mbaike 20 Million Naira Federal Constituency Unity Cup, off-Setting bills of the vulnerable through partnership with FMC, Owerri, and several road project in various Mbaitolu and Ikeduru LGA’s to mention but a few.
The most recent, is the unbiased distribution of bags of rice to the less privileged women in Mbaitolu and Ikeduru including the purchasing of JAMB to the young people who wish to get into University.
The good people of Mbaitolu-Ikeduru can not wait but to elect their own son in whom they are well pleased to be a voice for them in the House of Representatives.
The future is ever brighter with Engineer Akarachi Amadi.
*Promise C. Agbaso*
*28-02-2022*