The Court of Appeal, on Friday, vacated the High Court judgement sacking Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi and his Deputy, Dr Eric Igwe, following their defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsanami, held that there was no constitutional provision for the removal of a serving governor or deputy governor that dumped the political party that sponsored them to power.
The court held that the only option available to a political party aggrieved by the defection of a governor or deputy it sponsored to power, was for such party to explore the option of impeachment as provided in the Constitution.
Consequently, the appellate court voided the high court judgement that removed Mr Umahi and his deputy from office.
The appellate court further ordered the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to submit names of their replacement to the Independent National Electoral Commission,…
