Admin l Friday, July 22, 2022
ABAKALIKI, Ebonyi, Nigeria – A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki has barred Governor David Umahi and his brother, Austin Umahi from contesting for senatorial seat in the 2023 general election.
Justice Fatun Riman disqualified the governor and his younger brother from contesting Ebonyi South Senatorial seat for violating Section 115 of the amended Electoral Act, which forbids anybody from standing for two elections in an electoral circle.
Justice Riman also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct a rerun primary.
Austin Umahi had emerged winner of the first primary election conducted by the APC, with the only female challenger, Ann Agom-Eze coming second. Austin Umahi withdrew his candidature to pave way for Governor Umahi, after he failed to pick the APC presidential ticket.
A rescheduled Ebonyi South Senatorial primary election by the State chapter, which was won by Governor Umahi was rejected by INEC.
Justice Riman dismissed the suit instituted by Umahi himself, citing section 115 of the Electoral Act which forbids a person from standing for two different primary elections in the same electoral circle.
According to Justice Riman, the action of David Umahi is punishable with two years jail term if a person if found guilty. But, Governor Umahi has been reacting to the court judgement, saying that the judge was misled by Ann Agom-Eze.
A statement by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Strategy, Chooks Okoh, says Agom-Eze lied on oath that she never withdrew from the contest.
The Governor alleges that Agom-Eze connived with her friend who is a member of the APC National Working Committee to submit forged documents purported to be coming from the Party’s National headquarters.
“Ann Agom Eze and her PDP collaborators are ignorant of the wordings of section 115 of the Electoral law they are quoting, as the Governor was never a candidate in any two elections, as they are oblivious of the difference between a candidate and an aspirant”, the statement reads in part.
