LG Chairmen Inauguration: Umahi explains why he disobeyed court order

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that the inauguration of the newly elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors did not breach the  Constitution.

Umahi said this on Thursday during the ceremony held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, Abakaliki.
He spoke against the backdrop of a Federal High Court judgment of Aug. 25, which nullified the July 31 council elections.

The court held that the exercise contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The State Government, however, announced on Aug. 30 that it had secured an ex-parte Order, which enabled it to perform the inauguration.

He, therefore, said that the inauguration was carried out within the ambit of the law.

“I am obedient to the laws of Nigeria.

“And if it was possible for me, I would elevate the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Cletus Ofoke, to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“I sought for his legal opinion on the matter and he gave me an impeccable opinion.

“I was not disobedient to such opinion based on the fundamental and constitutional provisions of the country.
“I, therefore, while congratulating the new chairmen, congratulate the judiciary and rule of law,” the governor said.

He described the APC as a party that rewards loyalty and delivers democratic dividend to the people.

He said: “Seven of the outgone chairmen are flying the party’s flag for the state House of Assembly and House of Representatives in the 2023 General Elections.

“The rest have been appointed as Senior Special Assistants to the Governor.

“The other 11 Vice Chairmen have been appointed as State and Local Government Advisory Council members.”
He admonished the new chairmen to live up to their responsibilities.

He further charged them to inaugurate their Legislative Councils on Sept. 2.

In a remark, the Attorney-General and Commissoner for Justice justified the inauguration.

He said it was in line with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, especially those covering Local Government Area (LGA).

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of Ezza North LGA, Chief Moses Nome, expressed gratitude to the government and  people of the state for giving them the opportunity to service.

The  APC clinched the 13 chairmanship and 171 councillorship seats in the election.

However, some members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council boycotted the polls due to the N1 million and N200,000 nomination fees charged for the chairmanship and councillorship seats, respectively.

The group, thereafter, approached the court to nullify the outcome of the polls in a suit No. FHC/AI/CS/151/2022.