April 01, (THEWILL) – Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has celebrated the outcome of the suit against him by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2019 Governorship election.
THEWILL reports that the suit challenging the governor’s defection was filed by the flag bearers of the APC in the 2019 general election, Sen. Sunny Ogbuoji and his running mate, Chief Justin Ogodo.
The plaintiffs had prayed the court to order INEC to swear them-in as the governor and deputy governor of the state having placed second in the gubernatorial election.
But delivering ruling on Friday, the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu, in a unanimous judgement read by Justice Alfa Belgore, dismissed the suit for being inconsistent with the Constitution and extant laws of the country.
Reacting to the judgement, Umahi, while presiding over the weekly state executive council meeting, stated that his enemies tried to use the court to pull him down but they failed.
He said his administration will conclude its tenure on May 29, 2023 irrespective of its challenges.
Umahi, who congratulated the people of the state over the judgement, thanked various religious bodies for their prayers.
He said, “The enemies have tried using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts, but failed.
“They are presently writing all forms of frivolous petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). We will however, defeat them anywhere they go and will finish strongly.”
He declared that God brought his government to power and will never abandon it.
“The good thing is that people know that the challenges are mere storms in a tea cup and distractions. We will conduct a special praise and worship service on Sunday to thank God for His mercies on the government and the people. We will sing praises unto God because he has turned big in everything that concerns us”, he said.
