The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it still awaits the certified true copy of the Justice Ekwo’s judgment which removed Govenor David Umahi, the deputy governor Eric Igwe, as well as 17 House of Assembly members all of who decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Enlightenment, Festus Okoye, said 48 hours after the judgment, INEC is yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment. He said the electoral body would take a decision as soon as the CTC is received haven taken cognizance of all sides of the judgment as well as its intendment.
Justice Ekwo on March 8, 2022, had ordered all affected persons to vacate their offices, while directing the PDP to submit names of persons qualified to replaced the sacked men to INEC for them to be issued the certificate of return.
Okoye, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday said INEC is known as for its readiness to comply with court orders and will not hesitate to do so in the Ebonyi State matter.
Meanwhile, Hon. Iduma Igariwey, whose name was submitted by the PDP to replace Umahi has challenged INEC to comply with the judgment of the court without further delay.
He said since March 8 2022 when Umahi and Igwe has continued to conduct themselves as governor and deputy governor of the state as if they still have such powers. He said continued delay in carrying out the judgment could be interpreted as a travesty of justice.
He said he and his Deputy Governor nominee Fred Udeogu must be duly recognised as the candidate of the PDP and qualified by the judgment of the court to be the rightful occupier as the governor nominee and deputy governor. nominee respectively.