Umahi's Sack: APC Berates PDP Over Demand For Certificate Of Return

APC BY NWOGHA NDUBUISI, ABAKALIKI Ebonyi State chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha on Wednesday berated the state People's Democratic Party over their demand for certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

This was contained in the press statement signed by the chairman and made available to newsmen at the state secretariat, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital. Recall that federal High Court sitting at Abuja had on previous week sacked Ebonyi State Governor, Engr David Umahi and his Deputy, Barr Kelechi Igwe for defecting from People's Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. Also, the court directed the party to file nominees for the replacement of the duo prior to the ninety days time to conduct fresh election in the state. However, Emegha lambasted the People's Democratic Party for demanding for certificate of return to Hon Iduma Enwo Igariwey and his Deputy,Elder Fred Udeogu who according to him never participated in the last general election. The state party chairman further warned the party to desist from raising tension, even as, he charged Ebonyians to remain calm as the judgement have been appealed and notice of appeal and stay of execution served on PDP. "APC Ebonyi has described as foolishness of the highest order by Ebonyi PDP in demanding for certificate of return from INEC for their purported candidates for an election their said candidates never participated. "The constitution of Nigeria section 285(13) and the amended electoral laws both 2010 and 2022 including all known cases of both Appeal and Supreme court decisions, already made it clear that you cannot benefit or sue or be used for an election you did not participate as candidate(s). "It is therefore very funny and childish for PDP to be requesting for Certificate of Return from INEC even without regards to the Abakaliki court order which is a judgement in REM on the seat of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State. " Ebonyi PDP is warned to desist from deceiving herself and the general public knowing very well that the said judgment have since been appealed and notice of appeal and stay of execution served on PDP. " We are now aware of who and who are behind the crisis/cases against Ebonyi State Government including all the insecurity in the state since the Governor defected from PDP to APC. APC Ebonyi state will deal decisively with anyone who leaves his Facebook foolishness in the name of being nominated as candidate and steps Ebonyi State to further their crisis and insecurity. " Ebonyi State Government is stable and all projects and programmes are ongoing and will never stop. 7. Ebonyians are requested to be calm and vigilant and assured that justice is already at hand. END.