INEC waiting certified copy of court judgment to enforce removal of Umahi  

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is waiting for the certified copy of the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja that ousted former Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State from office before enforcing the court order to remove Umahi.

INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, had disclosed that the commission was yet to receive the certified copy of the Federal High Court judgment that ordered the removal of Umahi, and deputy governor Kelechi Igwe.

Okoye acknowledged that INEC received a letter from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), nominating replacements for the Ebonyi State governor and deputy governor in compliance with the court order.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday declared the defection of Umahi to the APC with the PDP mandate as illegal, null and unconstitutional. The court, therefore, ordered Umahi and Igwe to vacate their seats, insisting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the election in March 2019 and not the candidates.

INEC may be withdrawing the Certificate of Returns issued to Umahi and Igwe as the court directed when the commission receives the certified copy of the judgement.

Meanwhile, Umahi has gone on appeal.