A High Court in Abakaliki on Monday dismissed a suit challenging the defection of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. 

Sunny Ogbuoji had sought an order to reinstate him as governor, instead of Mr Umahi, who just defected to the party.

Delivering judgment, Justice Henry Njoku dismissed the suit filed by Mr Ogbuoji for lacking merit and awarded N500,000 as damages against him.

Mr Ogbuoji had argued that Mr Umahi having defected from the PDP which he was elected, ought to vacate the office of the governor upon defection. 

The judge held that Mr Umahi has not offended any provisions of the Constitution or the Electoral Act in his defection to APC.

“The suit is dismissed for lacking of merit and award cost of 500,000 is made against the plaintiff,” he said.

Speaking after the judgment, lead counsel to Mr Umahi, Roy Nweze, commended the court for a sound judgment.

“Every constitutional provision relating to the office of President and Vice president are corresponding provision relating to the governor and his deputy.

“As far back as 2007 the Supreme Court had ruled that there are no consequences for president and vice president defecting from one political party or another.

“Summary, is that the governor and deputy can defect to any political party at any time, even if it’s a day after election,” he said. 

(NAN)