Following the refusal of the Federal High Court to grant stay of execution to the embattled governor of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi, the Peoples Democratic party  on Monday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately issue certificate of return to Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu.

PDP, relying on the provision of Section 287(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), said that INEC is bound to issue certificates of return to Messrs Igariwe and Udogwu as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi respectively.

According to Section 287(3), “the decisions of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, a High Court and of all other courts established by this Constitution shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by other courts of law with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, a High Court, and those other courts, respectively” 

Pursuant to this, the PDP also demanded that the Chief Judge of Ebonyi, upon the issuance of certificates of return by INEC, must proceed to swear in Messrs Igariwe and Udogwu as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi state. 

Also, in a statement issued by PDP spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, on Monday, he argued that this is absolutely necessary to prevent the existence of vacuum in the government and governance of Ebonyi state. 

He said Mr Umahi and his deputy can no longer exercise the functions of the office of governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi state pursuant to the order of the Federal High Court which removed them from office on March 8, and the subsequent order of the Federal High Court today, which refused their application for stay of execution. 

The party praised the judiciary for courage in defending the constitution as well as the will of the people of Ebonyi state as expressed in their votes for the PDP in the 2019 governorship election.