From Chinedu Nwafor Abakaliki
An Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, on Friday, affirmed the nomination of Governor David Umahi as the duly nominated Senatorial candidate for the APC for Ebonyi South Senatorial zone, in the 2023 senatorial election.
The Court dismissed the appeal filed by Mrs Ann Nwanyibuife Agom-Eze and confirmed Umahi as the authentic candidate of the APC for Ebonyi South Senatorial zone.
The Court set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court and all the orders it made.
The Court also held that the lower court was wrong when it upheld Mrs Ann Agom-Eze’s Counter-affidavit and failed to uphold the primary election of 9th June, 2022 which produced Governor Umahi.
The Court maintained that Umahi’s nomination was never challenged by anybody within 14 days as prescribed by section 285(9) of the 1999 Constitution, and at such confirmed Governor David Nweze Umahi as duly elected in the Ebonyi South Senatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress.
Meanwhile, Governor Umahi has hailed the judgement, and described his journey to the Nigerian senate as the will of God.
Umahi who stated this in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr Chooks Oko, on Friday, said: “with the judgement, the Court has once again, asserted its inviolate position as the hope of all seekers after justice.”
The Governor also appreciated the citizens of the Senatorial district in particular, and the entire State for their prayers, steadfastness and goodwill which culminated in the victorious judgement.
“He also commends the judiciary for their forthrightness and dependability as an impartial arbiter in human conflicts.
“The Governor wishes to seize this opportunity to strengthen his vow of offering the best Senatorial representation to the good people of the senatorial district even as he pledges to use the position to further advance the cause of Ndi Igbo and disadvantaged Nigerians,” the statement said.
Governor Umahi, according to the statement, “beckons on all the stakeholders of the district to Join hands with him and the All Progressives Congress to deliver other quality candidates in the 2023 general elections.”