Former chairman of the Labour Party in Ebonyi State, Splendour Oko-Eze, stated that he remained the party’s real candidate for governor in the state.Infomation Guide Nigeria
This was because, as he stated, the Enugu Division of the Appeal Court’s ruling last week did not in any way recognise Edward Nkwegu, a former state leader of the All Progressives Congress, as the party’s candidate for governor.
In a phone chat with our correspondent on Friday, he stated this and added that the Independent National Electoral Commission made an error in posting Nkwegu’s name as the LP candidate for the state.
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He said, “The publication of Edward Okereke Nkwegu’s name as the Governorship candidate of Labour Party in Ebonyi State by INEC is completely unacceptable by me. I remain the authentic Governorship candidate of Labour Party in Ebonyi State.Jamb Result
“The Court of Appeal judgement did not order INEC to recognise Edward Nkwegu as the Labour Party candidate neither did it say that am no longer the Governorship candidate of Labour Party in Ebonyi State.
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“The judgement said that my claim that the party was making serious efforts to substitute my name without my consent was a speculation. That there is no evidence that I have been substituted as the Governorship candidate of Labour Party in Ebonyi State. It didn’t say that am no longer the Governorship candidate.
“Let me use this opportunity to plead with my supporters all over the state to remain calm and resolute because efforts are on top gear to recover our stolen mandate.”
Regarding the leadership of the Labour Party in Ebonyi State, the Court of Appeal in Enugu overturned the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abakaliki on 3 August 2022.
Oko-Eze, the complainant, contested his dismissal as Caretaker Committee Chairman and the appointment of Jioke Godwin as Chairman.
Oko-Eze petitioned the lower court to prohibit the LP and INEC from altering the party’s candidacy for the governorship race in Ebonyi.
Each and every request was answered.
However, LP’s attorney, Chijioke Emeka, stated that his client was denied a fair hearing due to the court’s hurried handling of the matter and hasty decision, which violated all procedural safeguards.
In addition, he stated that the party possessed the authority to control its interim leadership without judicial intervention.
The question of the governorship candidacy, according to Emeka, was premature and speculative.
