The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it would take action against ousted-Ebonyi state governor David Umahi when it receives documents from the ruling court.

On Tuesday, Mr Umahi was removed as state governor by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court said Mr Umahi had forfeited his governorship when he defected from the PDP to join the ruling All Progressives Congress last year.

“The Commission has not been served with a copy of the said judgement. The Commission will meet and take a decision when it is served with a Certified True Copy of the judgement,” Mr Okoye said to Peoples Gazette when reached for clarification.

Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the electoral body to stop recognising Mr Umahi and his deputy and that the Peoples Democratic Party send names to INEC to replace the governor and deputy.

The new development comes hours after the opposition PDP urged INEC to issue certificates of return to Iduma Igariwey and Fred Udogwu as the new governor and deputy for Ebonyi.

The party said the electoral office should confirm to serve as deputy governor forthwith, according to a short statement released by its media department on Tuesday afternoon.

The Gazette reported earlier that Mr Umahi has not revealed any plans to appeal the judgement, only vowing to defy the ruling and remain in office until next year when his tenure elapses.

omenkaLives:
But we know this judgement can never be executed. We're in the third month of 2022 already, and by the time the appeal court might be preparing its judgement, we could be talking about a handover to another elected governor in 2023.

The judgement is what it is- a mere pronouncement. It's only utility I see is it making it alot more difficult for incumbents to change parties at will.

3coins:
When we vote, do we vote for the party or the individual? I don’t understand

3coins:
When we vote, do we vote for the party or the individual? I don’t understand

kingphilip:

Just like what it is, as soon as INEC gets the CTC, they'll issue a certificate of return to the name submitted by PDP.

If or when the appeal court nullifies the judgement, INEC can always revert.

So the issue of waiting for Appeal court or supreme court decision doesn't hold here.

MadamVanessa:




Umahi to vacate the seat?

This is not western world o, this is zoo o

BeardGangJnr1:
This judge is null and void. in general elections, we vote for individuals not Parties.
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That's the small I know... anyone can enlighten me More

3coins:
When we vote, do we vote for the party or the individual? I don’t understand

Tareq1105:


Even the judgement doesn't have any legal basis and that's an indication that it will be crushed at the Appeal.

There's no section of either the Nigeria constitution or Electoral Act to back the judgement. So it's just an unfounded pronouncement that cannot stand the test of time.

kingphilip:

Just like what it is, as soon as INEC gets the CTC, they'll issue a certificate of return to the name submitted by PDP.

If or when the appeal court nullifies the judgement, INEC can always revert.

So the issue of waiting for Appeal court or supreme court decision doesn't hold here.

BeardGangJnr1:
This judge is null and void. in general elections, we vote for individuals not Parties.
.
.
That's the small I know... anyone can enlighten me More