A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered that 16 lawmakers from Ebonyi vacate their seats following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, ordered the lawmakers to stop parading themselves as representatives of the people after dumping the party on which platform they were elected into the house of assembly.
Some of the lawmakers include Odefa Obasi Odefa, Victor Chukwu, Kingsley Ikoro, Joseph Ununu, Nkemka Okoro, among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 19, fixed today for the judgment in the suit filed by the PDP against the governor and his deputy.
Similarly, Justice Ekwo ordered the Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state and his deputy, Eric Igwe, to vacate their seats on grounds that it was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that won the March 2019 governorship election and not the candidates.
Citing section 221 of the constitution, Justice Ekwo ordered the PDP to immediately send names of replacements to INEC so that fresh elections can be conducted.
Justice Ekwo also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cease from recognising Umahi and Igwe as the governor and deputy governor of the Ebonyi State.
