By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Legal luminary Professor Paul Ananaba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has held the judgement of Mr. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja which on Tuesday sacked the Governor of Ebonyi state, Chief David Umahi and his Deputy, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, saying it was a landmark decision which will help to checkmate the excesses of politicians.
Justice Ekwo had in his judgement
ordered Governor Umahi of Ebonyi state to vacate office after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also ordered Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe to stop parading himself as Deputy Governor of the state just as the judge in the same judgement ordered the 16 lawmakers who defected with Governor Umahi to vacate their seats.
But speaking on Channels Television primetime programme ‘News @ Ten’ on Tuesday, Professor Ananaba argued that by the pronouncement of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday Umahi and Igwe have seized to be Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi state.
Said he: ” I commend Mr. Justice Inyang Ekwo’s for that landmark judgement. I believe he is relying on Supreme Court judgement in the Kogi state Governorship tussle after the death of Prince Abubakar Audu where the highest court in Nigeria ruled that election votes belong to political parties not the candidates”.
“So, by the order of Justice Ekwo on Tuesday, Umahi and Igwe are no longer Governor and Deputy and they will be committing contempt of court if they continue to stay in the office.
Also, it should be noted that it’s not a pre-election matter so both cannot stay in office to appeal the case”.
Professor Ananaba who is the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), insists that should the PDP submit names of new Governor and Deputy to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the electoral umpire has no choice than to issue a new Certificate of Return to the new PDP nominees.
The Professor of Law stated that Justice Ekwo’s ruling on Governor Umahi versus PDP case will help to checkmate the excesses of Nigerian political class who are in the habit of defecating from one party to another.
