The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately and without any further delay, issue certificates of return to Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State respectively.
This is in furtherance of the Order of the Federal High Court issued in Abuja on Monday, refusing to grant Stay of Execution to the former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Nweze Umahi, and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, over their removal from office by the Court.
According to the PDP, INEC, pursuant to the provision of Section 287(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which provides that “the decisions of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, a High Court and of all other courts established by this Constitution shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by other courts of law with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, a High Court, and those other courts, respectively” is bound to issue certificates of return immediately to Hon. Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively”.
In this regard, the PDP also demanded that the Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, upon the issuance of certificates of return by INEC, proceed to swear in Igariwe and Udogwu as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State respectively.
Party spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Monday argued that this is absolutely necessary to prevent the existence of vacuum in the government and governance of Ebonyi State as “Messers Umahi and Igwe can no longer exercise the functions of the office of Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State pursuant to the Order of the Federal High Court which removed them from office on March 8, 2022, and the subsequent Order of the Federal High Court today, which refused their application for Stay of Execution”.
The PDP commended the judiciary for its courage in defending the Constitution as well as the will of the people of Ebonyi State as expressed in their votes for the PDP in the 2019 governorship election.
The party also congratulated the people of Ebonyi State for the restoration of their mandate and urged them to remain united under the PDP as they forge ahead in their mission to “Rescue and Rebuild” the country from the “rudderless” APC administration.
