I’m Still Governor, Dave Umahi Insists Amid Sack Judgement

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has reiterated his stance of governor following a court judgment sacking him from office on Tuesday.

Daily Report Nigeria had reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo had removed Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe.

The judgment cited their decamping to the All Progressive Congress as the cause for their removal, saying the votes scored by the duo were for the People’s Democratic Party, the umbrella through which the governor was elected into power.

In a swift reaction to the development, Umahi described the judgement by Justice Ekwo as embarrassing, alleging that the presiding Judge was influenced to deliver the judgement against.

He pointed out that there is no provision in the Nigeria Constitution allowing a serving Governor or his Deputy to be removed from office on account of defecting to another political party.

He said only through death, resignation or Impeachment by the state House of Assembly that a serving Governor and his Deputy could be removed from office.

According to him, Justice Ekwo was on a mission to embarrass the All Progressives Congress and the Federal Government, saying, “I feel sorry for the Nigerian judiciary”.

Umahi said he will appeal the judgement by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Ekwo.

Umahi said, “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.”

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