Tag Archives: David Umahi

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Alleged Murder: Umahi Orders Arrest Of Ebonyi APC Chairman, House Of Reps Candidate

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Governor David Nweze Umahi has directed the immediate arrest and prosecution of the State APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha and Candidate for Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency, Chief Eni Uduma Chima for their roles in the murder of three persons in Ekoli Edda.

Governor Umahi gave the directive during an on the spot assessment of the level of damages in the area. (Watch Video Here)

According to a statement by his special aide, Chooks Oko, the governor also directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest all those connected with the carnage and ensure they face justice.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Storm Ebonyi APC Chairman’s House, Kill Brother

Umahi while announcing the suspension of all social gatherings in Edda until normalcy returns, urged the Commissioner of Police to saturate the area with security presence to forestall further breakdown of law and order. (Watch Video Here)

As at the time of filing this report, the whole Ekoli Edda has been cordoned off by the combined team of the Police, Army and the Ebubeagu Security outfit.

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Death hits Ebonyi gov, David Umahi

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An Aide to Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Mr Sunday Agwu yesterday lost his life in an auto crash in the State. (Watch Video Here)

The Christmas celebration for members of his family was bleak and worrisome, considering the role and position he occupies in the scheme of things.

Agwu, who is the Coordinator of Ishielu Development Centre of Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, lost his life in transit, due to overspeeding even as another version explained that the victim was manipulated spiritually, leading to his unfortunate demise. (Watch Video Here)

𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 gathered that he died this morning while receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital as his corpse has already been deposited at the mortuary.

An unconfirmed source revealed that the victim died in his private vehicle along the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway.

The victim is said to be a henchman behind a section of the powers that be in the State as he is an acclaimed force that would have determined the outcome of the 2023 general election in Ishielu LGA of the State. (Watch Video Here)

Reacting, the Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Mr Obinna Onwe described the death of the Agwu as a colossal loss to the Council and the State at large.

He called on the family of the deceased to take consolation in the Lord as only God knows the real reason behind every event on earth.

Recalled that another Aide to the Governor was shot dead by suspected kidnappers a few (Watch Video Here) weeks ago in Anambra State.

The victim, who was a member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly Service Commission, Barrister Leonard Chibuzor Alegu, was shot by unknown gunmen.

𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 gathered that the incident occurred in the late hours of Saturday, December 17th along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, in the Umunya community, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra state.

A source revealed that the deceased was travelling from Abakaliki to Onitsha to attend a child dedication when the incident occurred. (Watch Video Here)

𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 further gathered that the deceased stopped to ease himself when his killers accosted him, and in the process of struggling to escape from them, he was shot in the stomach; while the killers made away with his vehicle and phone.

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Politics Today

David Umahi fines APC N5mn over campaign posters.

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Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi has fined his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the indiscriminate posting of campaign posters.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the state, Uchenna Orji, the ruling party contravened the provisions of the state’s Executive Order 3 of 2022. (Watch Video Here)

According to the commissioner, the move is an attempt by the state government to set an example.

“His Excellency the Governor has decided to use his Political Party APC to set an example and as such, APC is hereby fined the sum of Five Million Naira (5,000,000.00) for contravention of the Laws and Executive Order of the state,” the statement read.

“APC must pay the money to the State IGR account and obtain IGR receipt and publicise the payment in all media platforms including social media before 31st December 2022 or risk being made to pay a default fee of Fifty Million Naira (50,000,000.00).” (Watch Video Here)

“APC is directed to within this period remove all their posters and make good the infrastructure before 31st December 2022. The Governor has decided to forgive all other Political Parties and appeal to them to remove all their posters on all the critical infrastructure before 31st December 2022 and desist forthwith from defacing the State facilities or face similar penalties like APC, Ebonyi State Chapter.

“The Governor appeals to all Political Parties not to take this benevolence as a sign of weakness on the side of Government as Government will seal off all Secretariats/campaign offices of such parties for their failure to remove their posters and or desist from continuously pasting of posters on such critical Infrastructure.” (Watch Video Here)

Executive Order 3 prohibits political parties from using public places such as schools, parks, and markets among others for political activities without seeking and obtaining due clearance from the state government.

The order, signed by the governor in November, also prohibits political parties from using critical infrastructures for pasting posters without obtaining state clearance. (Watch Video Here)

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Criminal Case

Umahi spends N2.5 billion on Xmas items, suspends perm sec, aide over diesel theft

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Governor Dave Umahi’s government has approved N2.5 billion to buy rice and other items to celebrate Christmas and announced the suspension of the permanent secretary of the ministry of power and energy, Godwin Nwankwo, over theft of diesel meant for streetlights

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Information commissioner Uchenna Orji disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the state’s executive council meeting.

Mr Orji said the special assistant to the governor on public utilities, Emmanuel Nwangbo, was also suspended.

“The council approved the suspension of both officials who were directly responsible for the streetlight supervision under the ministry. The council also received a report of persistent diesel theft and noted the disturbing volumes of the product lost to persons involved in the business of streetlights,” stated the commissioner. “Member, therefore, resolved that those involved in the streetlight supervision be investigated by the Department of State Security (DSS) to unmask the perpetrators.”

He added, “The head of service was directed to thoroughly investigate the ministry’s staff involved in the theft and take appropriate actions as required by the civil service rules.”

The commissioner further disclosed that the council approved N2.5 billion, as contained in the memo presented by the SSG, for the procurement of Christmas items by the government.

“These include 5kg and 25kg bags of rice, among other items to be distributed to different groups, stakeholders and organisations for the celebration,” Mr Orji disclosed. “The council also commended Governor David Umahi for providing the packages to the groups since assuming office in 2015.”

Mr Umahi swore in new special assistants, and coordinators of local government areas development centres, among others.

On Wednesday, the governor suspended the coordinator of Edda North Development Centre of Afikpo South LGA, Enyim Okoro, over “ineffective discharge of his duties.”

The Ebonyi governor on Sunday suspended the traditional ruler of the Isinkwo community of Onicha LGA, Josephat Ikengwu, for failing to stop the killings in his area.

(NAN)

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Politics Today

2023: “I wish Obi, Tinubu wins” – Umahi.

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Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi has reacted to the presidential bid of the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, saying his aspiration is making the South East geo-political zone relevant.

Umahi, who was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to intimate him of the completion of a new Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro, did not openly support the Labour Party candidate, but noted that Obi’s presidential aspiration was good for the region.

Reacting to questions thrown at him on the chances of the APC clinching the Presidency in 2023 going by wide support for the Peter Obi movement, he said only God can actually determine who will eventually win the poll, but wished that his party, the APC would emerge victorious.

Recall with Noble Reporters Media that Umahi, a frontline member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a development that elicited strong reactions within the polity.

Commenting on the crisis still dotting the APC ahead of the general elections, Umahi said such issues will be addressed amicably and the party would come out stronger.

His words, “Well, I think that, you know, we don’t have issues in the APC like the kind of issues that we have in other parties. They say in a big house, you know, there are vessels onto honour and there are vessels onto dishonour. Literally, meaning that there must be some issues in a big house like the APC. But the structure and the spread of APC is such that victory is assured.

“I can assure you that some of the disagreements in some States are going to be resolved. Mechanism has been put in place by Mr. President, the candidate of the party, his vice and then the national chairman and leadership of the party, to sort out those differences. And I think we are well prepared for victory in 2023”.

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Responding to questions on whether the South-East is ready for the presidency, relying on what played out in the APC primaries, he said, “What happened during the primaries of PDP and APC, were a kind of miscalculation by people but to say whether they’re ready for the presidency of the country anytime, I think that the movement of Peter Obi is an eye opener.

“That’s why I said, I love what he’s doing. I’m encouraged by what he’s doing. Because if he’s not doing what he’s doing, it means that South East would have been forgotten. So, why my party takes the victory, he would have prepared a very good ground, for the South East Presidency, so that nobody is going to write us off.

“And you can see the level of his acceptability, which does not translate to victory over APC. I’m sure of that, but it’s a good movement. And it reassures the South East people and the entire country that we are accepted, you know, that we will one day become the President of this country. It is very important”.

Asked if the Peter Obi phenomenon contributed to reduced killings in the South East, he said, “You cannot technically assign the killings because of Igbo presidency, you can see that security generally is improving in the country. And it has nothing to do with the movement of Peter Obi.

“Peter Obi movement is a movement that is anchored on equity, justice and fairness. It may not translate to outright win because I must defend my party, I must wish my party well and I’m having the ticket of my party. So but whether what he is doing has meaning in there, not only South East, it does have meaning. So we must never attribute the killings in South East to this kind of movement.

“Peter Obi’s movement and all the movement are authored on God’s will, is only God who knows who will win, but there must be a wish. As a party man, I would wish that our party wins. And if God says no, the next person I wish that should win is Peter Obi. Because I believe strongly and I will say it anywhere that after the north has taken eight years, there is no moral justification for the north to be seeking to take another eight years, it should go to the south.

“So I’m not wishing Peter Obi away. God has the final say and he has the power and gives to whom ever He wishes”

Also asked if Obi has any chance of winning, he responded saying, everybody has chances of winning and chances of losing but you must always have a wish.

“Yes. It’s going to be a different ball game altogether. Because when campaign starts, yes, the interest of our people in terms of presidency is there, you can’t wish it away. But everyone in south east holding the ticket of their party is going to be struggling and he’s going to be fighting. You will not tell the guy that has the ticket of House of Assembly to look at the bigger picture of Igbo presidency. He may not see it but that is not to say that you know Peter Obi is not going to get substantial votes in South East, it is there”.

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Umahi ‘sidelined’ FG, takes praises for himself on developed Ebonyi.

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Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi on Sunday said that the state was not developed by the federal but by the ingenuity of the leaders of the state.

Umahi, who aspired to be presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded party primaries, made this known on Sunday while addressing stakeholders during a church service, that took place at the New Government House Centenary City, Abakaliki.

The governor equally tasked his anointed successor and other candidates contesting elections in the state to stick to the ticket they are holding.

Noble Reporters Media reports that there have been rumours of defection by some candidates contesting election on the platform of APC to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the state.

According to the governor: “In the PVC registration, we came 8. If they were to award the mark, they will give us 36, as they give us in our allocation but our neighbours were getting 35 number. If it is transparency, Ebonyi is coming first, if it is fiscal sustainability, Ebonyi is coming first. If it is a state that has the ability to sustain itself without federal, Ebonyi is coming first, what else can we say?

“It is about God’s plan for the state, we still have two more weeks to end the PVC registration and we can come to number five, we can come to number three. So, whatever it takes for us to come to number three, yes we can.

“And let me tell you, don’t get entangled with party politics, worry not yourself about this, stick to the tickets you are holding. This state was never developed by the centre, it was developed by us. Don’t worry yourself about any party or this thing, stick to the ticket we have. That’s where God wants us to be and it is from that platform that we advance the cause of this state.

“Remember, no man gave us any chance. They will never give us a chance, we have to impose ourselves on them and that’s what we have been doing. If they said we should not be heard, they are the ones that have to hear us. Even if they share something down this side, they will take it from us but through the supernatural power of God, we have imposed ourselves.

“They have reluctantly come to recognize us and we have to take it to another level. The party we know is the ticket we are holding. You must know that no one developed this state for us; the political party or the centre did not. We are the ones through the power of God that developed this state.

“So, don’t engage on party something. Always look forward to what you have and Ebonyi will be interested in what we have, very important. We are not against any party, we are not against anybody but a bird at hand worth ten in the bush.

“I have no problems with our elections, this is one family and when the time comes, you will go round and let our people know and I continue to maintain that Ebonyi State is very lucky. For those who tried to thwart justice and equity; when the North had done their eight years, the central did their eight years and it was the time for the south, some elders from the south joined people from Abakaliki bloc to deny that justice that south should not get it,” he stated

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In the news

The world would be in shock if Jonathan joins APC.

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Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi on Tuesday described the possibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan joining the All Progressives Congress as another wonder of the world.

He made the comment while speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

A Northern Coalition on Monday had the purchases the APC’s nomination and expression of interest forms for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

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But Jonathan later rejected the forms, saying he did not authorise the purchase.

Umahi on Tuesday wondered how the APC would align its policies and promises if Jonathan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, clinches the ruling party’s presidential ticket.

He added that it would be a material for the World Guinness Book of Records if such an event materialises

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Africas

David Umahi accuses Ndigbo of delaying negotiation for Kanu’s release.

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Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has accused the Igbo socio-cultural body, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, of delaying discussions with the Federal Government over Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

The governor made the claim on Friday when he featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“We wished that it should be solved and that’s why I went to Mr President. And our leader, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, has also gone to the President and he agreed for a political solution, but it should be us that should initiate it,” he said on Friday.

“And I am asking Ambassador Obiozor (Ohanaeze President), he is very slow about this because I had gone to the DG DSS. I had gone to the Attorney-General of the Federation and they were ready to receive them to discuss. I had excluded myself so that politics is not by any means adduced to it.”

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“So, we should be encouraging the president of Ohanaeze to work with the IPOB leader as Mr President suggested and then let them, you know, bring something before the Federal Government and say, ‘These are what we are bringing on board.’ I think that the President is not averse to that,” the government added.

The governor, who said he foresaw the growing insecurity in the South East, reiterated that that was why his government opposed the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) from the onset.

He, however, said many people misunderstood him and “jumped into and used it for politics”. Umahi lamented that the situation is now “a pain in everybody’s eye” in the region.

Buhari’s ‘Worry’

President Buhari flanked by Governor Umahi during the inauguration of the project. Photo: State House

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Umahi’s comment followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state where the Nigerian leader commissioned several projects.

During the visit, leaders of the South East region pleaded with the Nigerian leader for the release of Kanu who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

But Buhari told the Ebonyi State Stakeholders’ Forum at the Government House in Abakaliki on Friday, that only the court can decide the IPOB leader’s fate.

“I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders, regarding a wide range of options,” he said. “And as I have said previously, this matter remains in the full purview of the court where it will be properly adjudicated.

“My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians for whom life is already tough and will like to just go out and earn a decent and honest living.”

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Africas

Ebonyi gov’t, Catholic church trade words over arrest of Priest.

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Ebonyi State government and the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki on Monday traded words over the arrest and incarceration of a Priest, Fr. Timothy Ngwuta in Abakaliki.

The Catholic Church, Diocese of Abakaliki in a statement signed by Fr. Matthew Uzoma Opoke, Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, said all efforts to secure the release Fr. Timothy Ngwuta on bail have been hampered by the Executive Order preventing any court in the state from entertaining matters relating to Effium crisis.

The statement reads in part: “The Church in the name of God, appeals to all the people of Effium and Ezza Effium involved in this inter-communal war, to lay down their arms and embrace the path of peace. Nothing justifies the senseless killing and maiming of innocent lives. Peace can never be achieved under the barrel of guns.

“Since the matter is before the courts, we will not be making any more statements on the case. We urge all to withhold judgement and let the case run its course.

“We implore all people of goodwill to join us in praying God to touch those responsible for the incarceration of Fr. Timothy to listen to the voice of right conscience. We commend the whole process into the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Priests and the Star of Evangelization. Pray for peace in our State and in the Country” the church stated.

In a swift reaction, the Ebonyi state government through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Cletus Ofoke cautioned the Catholic Church to desist from saying that the priest is incarcerated in prison as a result of the executive order.

Ofoke who spoke to journalists in Abakaliki said, “There is nothing like Executive Order on the Effium crisis, there is nothing to that effect. Of course, the government can never issue an order stopping the court from doing its legitimate duty. It is aimed at tarnishing somebody’s image and maligning the government. There is nothing like that.

“Once a matter is in court, nobody talks about it other than for the legal process to take its course. This is what the Ebonyi State government has done and the government has no hand in the Priest case. The case of the Priest is purely a legal issue from police to court.

“So, nothing concerns Ebonyi State government and it is not only the Priest that is being incarcerated over the matter there, in Effium. People are aware that so many people have been charged to court; some of them are in prison, and some of them are being tried in court. So, the Priest is also a human being” he stated.

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Africas

Umahi’s sack: Only House of Assembly can remove elected governor – Lawyer

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Legal Counsel to the Ebonyi State government, Roy Nwaze has commended the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu for striking out a suit that sought to sack David Umahi from office for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the ruling All Progressive Congress APC.

Recall with Noble Reporters Media that the Appeal Court in Enugu State on Friday dismissed the suit, describing it as unconstitutional and of no effect, imposing a fine of N200,000 against the appellant.

Speaking on the judgement, Roy Nwaze said, “The court of Appeal insists the constitution has not provided that the governor who defected from the party that sponsored him to another party should leave office.

“As it was not provided in the constitution, no Court can write it into the constitution and that the court has no power to remove a governor after he has been sworn in. It is only the state House of Assembly that can remove the governor.

“With the judgement delivered here today, you see the appeal in Abuja will still be heard, just to fulfil the legal formality of dismissing the judgement of the Federal High court sitting in Abuja.

“This Appeal court judgement today has set a pattern, and no other court can depart from that pattern. No Court of Appeal decision can depart from the pronouncement of the court of Appeal in Enugu.

“The judgement of the Appeal court is in favour of the governor” he stressed.

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Africas

Appeal Court dismisses David Umahi’s sack as Ebonyi State Governor.

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An Appeal Court in Enugu on Friday dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, from office.

The suit sought Umahi’s removal from office because he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The suit was filed by the APC governorship candidate in the 2019 election, Senator Soni Ogbuoji and running mate, Justin Mbam.

Recently, an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo had sacked Umahi, Igwe and 17 lawmakers in the state for dumping the PDP to the APC.

But, on February 28, 2022, a High Court sitting in Abakaliki struck out the same suit

Justice A.O Belgore dismissed the suit for being inconsistent with the constitution and extant laws of the country

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Africas

Umahi’s defection: INEC gives final decision

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended action on court orders in regards to the defection of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe.

INEC made this known in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, on Thursday, in Abuja.

This was decided after the commission deliberated on a wide range of issues, including preparations for the Osun State Governorship election in July.

Okoye disclosed that the commission decided to stay action on Umahi’s defection at the meeting following conflicting judgements and orders served on it from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

He said: “It will be recalled that INEC met on Thursday, March 17 on the matter, and decided to defer its deliberation on the Ebonyi State cases.

“INEC stepped down the listed Memorandum to enable its Legal Services and Clearance Committee to study the new processes served on it in the light of the previously served ones and advise the Commission comprehensively.

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“Since then, INEC has been served more court processes on the same matter, bringing the total to twelve.”

Okoye added that INEC also decided to stay action on the conflicting judgements and orders on Umahi’s defection being aware of the pendency of Appeals and Motions for Stay of Execution of some of the judgements before various divisions of the Court of Appeal.

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Africas

Umahi, Ebubeagu gone for good – Simon Ekpa.

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Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Monday said Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State is gone for good.

Ekpa said Umahi’s crimes are unforgivable and would be documented for future purposes.

Accusing Umahi and the security outfit of genocide, Ekpa said there is no room for them in the Southeast.

In a tweet on Monday, Ekpa said the Southeast security outfit, Ebubeagu would leave the Southeast like Umahi.

“Umahi is gone for good, he should take the terrorists Ebubeagu with him to Kano State. There is no room for Ebubeagu killers in SouthEast.

“All of them are wanted for genocide against our people. Umahi’s crime is unforgivable. It will be documented for future reference,” he tweeted.

Umahi was recently sacked by an Abuja Federal High Court for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that Umahi can’t transfer votes he got from PDP to APC.

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Why we haven’t taken action on Umahi’s sack: INEC.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has disclosed why it’s yet to act on the court ruling that sacked Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe.

INEC’s spokesman, Festus Okoye, said the body has not concluded deliberations on the court judgment that sacked Umahi and Igwe.

An Abuja Federal High Court had sacked Umahi, Igwe and 16 lawmakers for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Justice Inyang Ekwo had ruled that Umahi cannot transfer the votes that got him into power under the PDP into the APC.

The judge also ordered the electoral umpire to replace those affected with new names from the PDP.

However, INEC explained that it was yet to reach a conclusion on the ruling.

A statement by Okoye said it has been joined in 71 new cases in various courts in Nigeria, and most of them are not directly its concerns.

Okoye said INEC would meet next week to deliberate further on the issue before making its decision public.

He said: “Most of these cases, including the widely discussed one on Ebonyi State, involve either intra-party issues or litigants seeking for various reliefs from the courts that entail consequential orders that are binding on the Commission.

“Consequently, the Commission decided to defer its deliberation on the Ebonyi cases and stepped down the listed Memorandum to enable its Legal Services and Clearance Committee to study the new processes in the light of the previously served ones and advise the Commission comprehensively. The Commission will meet again next week to deliberate on the matter and thereafter make its decision public.”

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Africas, Politics Today

Umahi, Deputy seek stay of execution on judgement sacking them from office.

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Governor David Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, have asked the Federal High Court for an order staying the execution of its judgment directing them to vacate their offices as governor and deputy of Ebonyi State respectively.

In a motion on notice filed by their counsel, Chukwuma MaChukwu- Ume (SAN), the applicants prayed the court for an order staying the execution of the orders made in the judgment delivered on March 8, 2022, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to immediately receive from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), the names of its candidates to replace them.

The applicants also prayed the court to stay the execution of its order directing INEC to hold a governorship election in accordance with section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution.

In addition, the motion on notice dated March 9, 2022, is equally seeking an order staying the execution of the order of the court directing INEC to immediately declare the persons nominated by the PDP as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State respectively.

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They further urged the court to stay the execution of its order restraining INEC from recognizing or continuing to recognize them as governor and deputy governor of the state.

Umahi and his deputy equally asked for an order to stay the execution of an order restraining them from parading themselves as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State respectively pending the hearing and determination of the appeal dated and filed on March 9, 2022, by the appellants.

Justice Inyang Ekwo was further urged to grant an order restraining the PDP from submitting any names to the INEC for the purpose of declaring them as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State in replacement of the applicants and if already submitted and accepted, an order of injunction restraining the INEC from using or putting same into effect until the determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.

They further sought an order restraining the INEC from conducting elections into their offices and or declaring the names of any candidate presented by the PDP as the governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State pending the determination of the appeal filed by them.

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The motion, which was brought pursuant to order 26 rules 1 and 2(1) and order 32 rules 1 and 4(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, was predicated on eight grounds.

The grounds include the fact that the applicants who are dissatisfied with the judgment of the court have appealed the said judgment to the Court of Appeal by filling their notice of appeal dated March 9, 2022.

That the notice of appeal has been duly served on all the parties and the court.

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That they have also commenced the process for the compilation and transmission of the records of the appeal in the Appeal Court.

It is also their prayer that unless execution of the judgment of the court is stayed, the outcome of the appeal filed by them will be rendered nugatory

Africas, Politics Today

David Umahi pledges to deal with Ebonyi PDP – insists Buni remains chairman.

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Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi on Wednesday, insisted that Governor of Yobe State, Mr. Mai Mala Buni is the authentic Caretaker Committee Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

This is also as the Governor vowed to deal with the members of the PDP in Ebonyi State.

Umahi said that there was no crisis and tasked party members to dispel the rumour that the ruling APC is divided.

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He said, “do not be angry about the judgement, say thank you to PDP. It is a joke that was carried too far. And today, we will say to the PDP in Ebonyi State that enough is enough. Anybody that goes against the law of Ebonyi State, will get it very hot from today.

“You know, I have been concentrating on my work, and I said if they want to fight one year to the end of my tenure, I will fight, but I have seen that I can be doing my inspection, doing my work and also be fighting. So, the fight is set in Ebonyi State.

“If you want to destroy this government, if you want to destroy this State, let me tell you, you will not have your way from today. Let me tell Umuekumenyi, nobody is going to steal your mandates. The north and central senatorial zones have ruled for 8 years. The south is about doing 7yrs, it remains very small it will be 8 years.

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“I’m a man of justice, I will not allow another person from the south senatorial zone to come and take your position. I don’t want you to go against the law. The evil that people thought about your governor has promoted him.

“We are battle ready, this is not about the governor of Ebonyi State; Nigerians are fighting for us. I want to thank the national chairman of APC, and let me tell you that there is no division in APC. The chairman went on medical leave. And we were there when he asked the governor of Niger State, Mr. Bello to act for him.

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“If there will be change, it will be notified. But for now, there is no change, and there is no crack. It is the PDP that is doing everything to destroy this country, and let me tell you, the attention of our party, APC has been drawn to all their antics, where they are misleading this country.

“We know very well, so many of them are very corrupt, carrying money up and down, but God is going to catch them, let me assure you, that there is no PDP in Ebonyi State. There can be PDP in Abuja, these are APC members.”

Africas

See how Ebonyi residents react to Governor’s sack.

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Mixed reactions have trailed the removal of Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi-Igwe from office by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

While some residents saw it as a welcome development, others expressed disappointment with the judgement.

Some residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abakaliki described it as a “victory for democracy”.

According to them, the judgement is an indication that the judiciary remains the beacon of democracy and the last hope of the common man.

Mr Basil Igwe, a resident, said the judgement would deepen democracy in the court and curtail the excesses of politicians especially, the elected representatives who jump from one party to another.

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“The judgement is a true reflection of the Constitution and Electoral Act. The governor unlawfully defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored him in the 2015 and 2019 elections.

“The court victory is a vindication of our constitution and it will go a long way in checking the excesses of our politicians who jump from one political party to another without any reasonable cause,” he said.

Another resident, Mr Uchenna Igwe said that the victory was not for the PDP but for every democracy-loving citizen of the country.

He regretted that the nation’s democracy was in grave danger due to the attitude of some of the politicians and their neglect of the provisions of the Constitution.

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“The judgement will serve as a deterrent to other elected public officials who would want to leave the party that sponsored them to victory for another party without relinquishing the position.

“I applaud the courage of Justice Enyang Ekwo for the judgement and urge the judiciary to remain alive to their duty,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Godwin Onwe, a lawyer said the governor had an option of appeal and would remain the governor until the last appeal was heard on the matter by the Supreme Court.

“Though the Federal High Court has sacked the governor by its pronouncement. However, Umahi remains the governor of Ebonyi because he has the right of appeal even up to the Supreme Court” he said.

The security situation in the Abakaliki and its environs has remained calm and peaceful in spite of the judgement against the governor.

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Recall with Noble Reporters Media that the Governor was sacked by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC)

Mr John Okoro, a resident, told NAN in Abakaliki, that the ruling sacking Umahi was not in the interest of Ebonyi people.

Okoro, a Political Analyst, described Umahi as a good leader and urged the court to reverse the ruling in favour of Umahi.

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“Does it mean that we will not have a Governor at this period as the nation is prepping for the 2023 elections?

“I am not happy over the sack. Gov Umahi has done so much good for his people. The sack is not good, especially now that he is getting set to take the presidential position

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Africas, Politics Today

Judge has no power to sack me – David Umahi.

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Governor David Umahi has reacted to the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja that declared his seat and that of his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe, vacant.

Governor Umahi said Justice Inyang Ekwo lacks the power to remove him from office and has put the judiciary on trial.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the court, asking for Umahi’s removal after he defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in November 2020.

Citing section 221 of the constitution, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the PDP to immediately send names of replacements to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) so that fresh elections can be conducted.

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Justice Ekwo also ordered INEC to cease from recognising Umahi and Igwe as the governor and deputy governor of the Ebonyi State.

Delivering judgement in the case, the presiding judge, Justice ordered the governor and his deputy to vacate office, adding that their defection was illegal, null and unconstitutional.

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Africas

Defection: Court asks Gov. David Umahi, Deputy to vacate seats.

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and his deputy, Eric Igwe, to vacate their seats as the sitting governor and deputy respectively, on grounds that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the election on March 2019 and not its candidate.

Having defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Umahi and his deputy cannot transfer the mandate of the PDP to the APC.

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Citing section 221 of the constitution, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the PDP immediately send names of replacements to INEC so that fresh elections can be conducted.

Justice Ekwo also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cease from recognising Umahi and Igwe as the governor and deputy governor of the Ebonyi State.

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Delivering judgement in the case, the presiding judge, Justice ordered the governor and his deputy to vacate office, adding that their defection was illegal, null and unconstitutional.

He ordered INEC to receive names of candidates from the PDP to replace Umahi and Igwe.

The governor and his deputy defected from the PDP on whose platform they were elected into office in the 2015 and 2019 general elections to the APC.

Determined to reclaim its mandate, the PDP sued the Umahi, Igwe, the APC and INEC.

The court noted that the crux of the matter was the defection of the 3rd and 4th from the PDP to the APC, adding that the averments of the 3rd and 4th Defendants did not address the issue of defection rightly and frontally but rather resorted to general denial to affidavit evidence.

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Justice Ekwo said the depositions of the 3rd and 4th Defendants in their counter affidavit were “evasive and insufficient” to competently challenge the Plaintiff’s originating process.

It was the opinion of the court that the “Immunity Clause” in section 308 of the Constitution is not absolute.

The court ruled that “Section 308 is a veritable constitutional shield” and not for political reasons.

Justice Inyang said Umahi and Igwe did not controvert the deposition that total votes scored in an election belong to a political party.

He stated that evidence abound that the 2nd defendant (APC) contested the Ebonyi State Governorship election held on March 2019, with its own candidates.

“It can be noted that the Constitution does not deal with the issue of defection lightly,” the court stated.

“The 3rd and 4th Defendants cannot transfer the votes and victory of the Plaintiff on March 9, 2019, to the APC. Office of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state belongs to the PDP.

“The option for Umahi and Igwe is to vacate office and wait for next election to contest election under the platform of its new party,” the court declared.

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The court said the act of the APC, Umahi and his deputy is aimed at dismantling the 1999 Constitution.

Consequently, the court declared that under the democratic system operated in Nigeria, the plaintiff won the majority of votes during the election and is entitled to enjoy same till end of tenure of office for which the election was made.

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Africas, In the news

David Umahi sacked as Ebonyi Governor – Deputy to vacate seat.

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and his deputy, Eric Igwe, to vacate their seats as the sitting governor and deputy respectively, on grounds that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the election on March 2019 and not its candidate.

Having defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Umahi and his deputy cannot transfer the mandate of the PDP to the APC.

Citing section 221 of the constitution, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the PDP immediately send names of replacements to INEC so that fresh elections can be conducted.

Justice Ekwo also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cease from recognising Umahi and Igwe as the governor and deputy governor of the Ebonyi State.

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Delivering judgement in the case, the presiding judge, Justice ordered the governor and his deputy to vacate office, adding that their defection was illegal, null and unconstitutional.

He ordered INEC to receive names of candidates from the PDP to replace Umahi and Igwe.

The governor and his deputy defected from the PDP on whose platform they were elected into office in the 2015 and 2019 general elections to the APC.

Determined to reclaim its mandate, the PDP sued the Umahi, Igwe, the APC and INEC.

The court noted that the crux of the matter was the defection of the 3rd and 4th from the PDP to the APC, adding that the averments of the 3rd and 4th Defendants did not address the issue of defection rightly and frontally but rather resorted to general denial to affidavit evidence.

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Justice Ekwo said the depositions of the 3rd and 4th Defendants in their counter affidavit were “evasive and insufficient” to competently challenge the Plaintiff’s originating process.

It was the opinion of the court that the “Immunity Clause” in section 308 of the Constitution is not absolute.

The court ruled that “Section 308 is a veritable constitutional shield” and not for political reasons.

Justice Inyang said Umahi and Igwe did not controvert the deposition that total votes scored in an election belong to a political party.

He stated that evidence abound that the 2nd defendant (APC) contested the Ebonyi State Governorship election held on March 2019, with its own candidates.

“It can be noted that the Constitution does not deal with the issue of defection lightly,” the court stated.

“The 3rd and 4th Defendants cannot transfer the votes and victory of the Plaintiff on March 9, 2019, to the APC. Office of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state belongs to the PDP.

“The option for Umahi and Igwe is to vacate office and wait for next election to contest election under the platform of its new party,” the court declared.

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The court said the act of the APC, Umahi and his deputy is aimed at dismantling the 1999 Constitution.

Consequently, the court declared that under the democratic system operated in Nigeria, the plaintiff won the majority of votes during the election and is entitled to enjoy same till end of tenure of office for which the election was made.

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In the news

David Umahi blames IPOB after Herdsmen houses got burnt in South West.

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What is demanded of the leaders is to put up programs that favour the people and foster national unity.

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Monday said videos making the round on social media purporting that members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were responsible for burning of houses belonging to herdsmen were not the handiwork of the separatist movement.

According to Umahi, communities, rather IPOB were responsible for the acts.

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The governor who also disclosed that South-East governors had earlier banned open grazing and movement of cows on foot in the zone, stated this in Abakaliki on Monday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership registration committee.

While warning against politicization of security matters, the governor called on leaders of the South-East geopolitical zone to create a framework that will secure the lives and properties of the people.

Umahi, who is the Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum said:

“The governors of the southeast had banned not only open grazing, but we have also banned the movement of cows by foot into the southeast.

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“In each of the five states of the southeast, we are managing ourselves very well. We have also stopped the movement of cows across communities.

“What we discussed in the southeast with the herdsmen, with the farmers is the method that has been in place for a long time before now.

“What our people must know is that security is not political, what is demanded of the leaders is to put up programs that favour the people and foster national unity.

“There is a new dimension that is taking place in the southeast which is very dangerous.

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It is when the communities use the name of IPOB, the video and upload it to the social media and say it is IPOB that is burning the houses of herdsmen.

“It is not IPOB, it is the communities that are doing this and this is very dangerous for the Igbo man. I am talking to us as leaders.”

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In the news

David Umahi, other new APC members can contest for 2023 election

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The gathering told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop “politicizing” insecurity in Nigeria.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved waivers for new members.

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This would allow them contest party primaries ahead of the 2023 elections without waiting for two years as required hitherto.

On Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari presided over the APC NEC meeting held at the State House, Abuja.

The APC body urged the opposition and all stakeholders to join hands with the federal government to end the challenge.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chairman, Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni; governors and some party officials attended the parley.

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However, all party structures at states, polling units, wards, local governments, and zones have been dissolved.

Also, the tenure of the Buni-led Caretaker Committee has been extended by six months.

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#Newsworthy

In the news

I cannot continue in PDP, Umahi is lucky to have left – Matawalle

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According to the governor, the extent of bad blood in the PDP is partly responsible for Mr Umahi’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, saying “everyone feels welcome only in a house where he feels comfortable”.

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is becoming hostile for its members, lamenting over his recent experience with his governor colleagues from the South-South region of the country.

Mr Matawalle, who made the lamentation in a statement on Friday by his media aide, Zailani Bappa, commended Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State “for his bold decision” to leave the party.

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He said: “If this trend of generating bad blood amongst us continues unabated, our great party will increasingly be on the receiving end as we move towards the election year, 2023.”

Speaking further, Mr Matawalle said: “I am having a very bad experience of recent from some of my PDP governor colleagues which I still find very puzzling.

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“For instance, the South-South governors [who had been] accusing me in the media are PDP Governors.

“They are also the same people who brewed controversy over the so-called Zamfara gold, [which was] premised on deliberate misinformation and outright lies.

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“Surprisingly, it is the APC Federal Government which has all the correct records on the gold mining issue that came out to defend me in this saga.

“As PDP colleagues, I expected the governors to contact me first and find out my own side of the story before unleashing their venom in the media,” Mr Matawalle posited.

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“As the brouhaha lasted, I commended President Muhammadu Buhari for being supportive of our efforts to organise the economic sector in the state to avoid using the mineral deposits to promote insecurity in our dear state”

“Today, the Federal Government is issuing licences to deserving companies to operate in the mining sector in the state. The biggest company with an investment of billions of naira is owned by a Nigerian from Anambra state.

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“And I wonder where the idea of Zamfara state owning the gold mines emanated from. As at now, the state Government does not have a hand in any of the mining activity in the state because the constitution does not empower us to do so,” Mr Matawalle noted.

The governor, therefore, called on the South-South governors “to eschew intellectual idleness and support its people to operate modular refineries as provided by the law and lift their people out of fear rather than sit behind and start chasing shadows rather than substance.”

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#Newsworthy

In the news

Impeachment request against David Umahi rise days after defection

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The group maintained that there is no there is no known factionalisation nor internal crisis in the PDP before Dave Umahi defected from the PDP to the APC last week.

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has enjoined the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to embark on the impeachment of the Governor Dave Umahi for allegedly breaching constitutional provision due to his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group referred to a subsisting Supreme Court verdicts which insist that a governor cannot defect to another political party unless there is internal leadership crises as basis for its assertions.

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AESID’s President General, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, in a statement contended that the PDP had been at peace since the court ousted the Ali Modu Sheriff as PDP’s factional chairman four years ago.

“In view of the foregoing breaches of the fundamental rights of citizens of our dear State therefore and the potentialities of same to plunge Ebonyi into a serious political crises , a threat we had foresaw and consistently cautioned Governor Umahi about, AESID boldly urge Ebonyi lawmakers to immidiately commence impeachment proceedings against the Governor,” Oluchukwu said.

” We make this call due to our believe and understanding of Umahi as a brutal dictator who is ready to set our dear state on fire in pursuit of his ego-laced selfish interests.”

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The group condemned in its totality and took a swipe at Umahi for his subtle threats to his appointees and the State legislators including the suspension of Victor Aleke from the State’s House of Assembly for keeping fate with the mandate given him by his people of Ebonyi North-west constituency.

“Finally, like we have always reiterated, Ebonyi belongs to all of us and one man’s personal ambition and interest cannot plunge the rest of the State which our fore-fathers laboured for many years to have into crises of monumental proportion,” Oluchukwu said.

” Ebonyi cannot be set aflame simply because Governor Umahi wants to protect his wealth belonging to Ebonyi people with the pretence of running for the highest office in the land.

“It has become obvious to us and every discerning mind that Umahi is deliberately creating the crises in PDP through Barr. Nwebonyi in order for some of the State lawmakers to have a fertile ground to defect with him in the guise of cracks, factions or crises in Ebonyi PDP.”

#Newsworthy

In the news

Atiku, Umahi, other APC Govs visit Jonathan

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The reason for the meeting was not disclosed, but it would be connected with the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, governors, Friday met with the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Abuja.

According to TheCable, David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi who recently defected to the APC from PDP; Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi and chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum; and Abubakar Badaru, governor of Jigawa, were at the meeting.

Jonathan celebrated his 63rd birthday today. He was felicitated by many Nigerians. In his message, President Muhammadu Buhari prayed that the almighty God would grant Jonathan longer life, good health and more wisdom to keep serving the nation and humanity.

Similarly, the Northern Governors Forum had sent warm felicitations to Jonathan on his birthday.

#Newsworthy