Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Labour Party (LP) senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South senatorial zone, Mr. Linus Okorie, has said that it is illegal for the Independent National electoral commission (INEC), to plan or think of conducting a fresh election for the zone, when the matter of the 2023 general election is still pending in Court.
Okorie participated in the 25th February, 2023 National Assembly Election where he lost to Umahi.
He had draged Umahi and his party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) to court for allegedly rigging, manipulating and perpetrating other irregularities in the election.
Okorie, who spoke in Abakaliki,was reacting to rumours making the rounds that the independent National electoral commission, (INEC), is allegedly planning to conduct a fresh election to replace the former governor, David Umahi, who resigned his position in the Senate to become the Minister of Works.
Okorie, a two time member of the House of Representatives, who represented Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo federal constituency in the national assembly, described such rumoured fresh election for Ebonyi South senatorial zone by INEC as illegal.
“Today, the Tribunal is sitting to adopt all the final addresses of all the parties. After today, they (Tribunal) will reserve judgment, that may be next week.
He continued; “If that judgment is given, if the court decides that it was Umahi who won that election, then two things will happen; if nobody goes to court of Appeal to challenge it, INEC will fix a date for a new election in which case, anybody can participate, but if the court didn’t rule that way, INEC can do nothing.
“There will be no election until the final determination of the 2023 Ebonyi South senatorial election in Court, starting from the Tribunal and maybe to court of Appeal, if any party feels dissatisfied with whatever the Tribunal rules. The only person that cannot appeal now, is David Umahi because he is no longer in the process,” he stated.
Okorie expressed confidence that he will get victory from the judiciary.
He said: “I ran that election and clearly my people voted for me, but we are in court, and I expect that the court will give me justice. I’m a law abiding citizen, I will accept whatever ruling the court gives.
“But I assure you, if I’m not satisfied with the ruling of the Tribunal, I will proceed to the Court of Appeal. Whatever happens ultimately, the rule of law will take its course,” he stated.
