Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State was ousted by the Federal High Court yesterday over his defection to the All Progressive Congress. It is argued that the ruling of the Federal High Court may affect some other state governors.

David Umahi was ordered to vacate office by a judge sitting at the Federal High Court due to the fact that he defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress.

The court reasoned that it was Umahi’s former party, the PDP, who got the votes that led to his election as governor, and so his defection to the APC means that he has forfeited his votes and therefore lost his seat as a governor.

Looking at the judgment of the court in David Umahi’s case, it is argued here that some other state governors may also lose their gubernatorial positions if the judgment of the Federal High Court is upheld by the higher courts.

Professor Ben Ayade

The executive governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, could be one of those governors who may lose their seats as a result of the Court’s decision in the case of David Umahi.

Recall that Ben Ayade who was a member of the People’s Democratic Party and sought elections under the platform of the party eventually defected to the All Progressive Congress after his election.

Following the removal of David Umahi by the Federal High Court, Governor Ben Ayade could also be removed if a case is instituted to challenge his position, especially if the decision in Umahi’s case is subsequently upheld.

This is because the governor contested elections under the PDP and his subsequent defection to another party means that he has lost his position as, according to the Court’s decision, it was the party that got elected and not Ayade.

Bello Matawalle

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State could be another casualty as a result of the decision of the Federal High Court in the case of David Umahi, as he too may lose his office.

Like David Umahi, Matawalle was a member of the PDP, where he sought and got elected as the governor of his state. He however defected from the party and joined the APC, much like his counterpart in the southeast.

Although Matawalle’s case was contested by the PDP and lost, it is submitted here that if the decision in Umahi’s case is upheld by higher courts, the PDP can appeal the previous court decision and possibly get it overturned.