This is in enforcement of the court order sacking the Governor, his deputy and 17 members of the State House of Assembly over unlawful defection to the All Progressive Party, APC, from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, that gave them the platform to win the election.
Umahi had vowed that he would not honour the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja that sacked him.
He said the presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo lacked the power to remove him from office.
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.
Justice Ekwo also ordered INEC to cease from recognising Umahi and Igwe as the governor and deputy governor of the Ebonyi State.
He added that their defection was illegal, null and unconstitutional.
PDP has already sent to INEC the names of its nominees to replace Umahi and his deputy
