Court removes Labour Party governorship candidate in Ebonyi

The primary election of June 9 that produced Mr Splendour Eze as the governorship candidate of Labour Party in Ebonyi state has been upheld by a Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. 

Justice Fatun Liman who ruled on the case on Wednesday August 3, also nullified the primary held on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, which produced Edward Nkwegu as another governorship candidate of the party in the state, saying it was illegal.

According to him, the party primary held earlier in June was still authentic as the candidate, Mr Eze, never withdrew from the race.

Liman held that that another candidate cannot emerge in a political party until a candidate, who was validly nominated, withdrew from the race.

Counsel to Eze, Barr Michael Odoh who commended the judgement, stated that his client remains the authentic candidate of the party in Ebonyi as he has not withdrawn.

He said; 

“My client is the governorship candidate of LP and he has not withdrawn. And not until he withdraws, no other candidate can emerge as a candidate in that party.

“The court had upheld the primary that was conducted earlier in June in favour of Splendour and set aside the purported second primary held yesterday, August 2, 2022.

“People should abide by the electoral act and party guidelines. If you want to take over from a candidature of a political party, where a candidature was validly nominated and the name of the person already forwarded to INEC; the person has to withdraw his candidature in writing, then after that withdrawal, that is when another person can take over.

“My client, Splendour remains the governorship candidate of Labour Party in the state and no other person.”

Eze on his own party described it as victory for the youths and against money bags. He commended the judiciary for standing up to its responsibilities.