INEC awaits court documents to take actions on Ebonyi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it would take action against ousted-Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi when it receives documents from the ruling court.

Umahi was removed as state governor by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.

The court said Umahi had forfeited his governorship position when he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress last year.

“The commission has not been served with a copy of the said judgement. The commission will meet and take a decision when it is served with a Certified True Copy of the judgement,” INEC National Electoral Commissioner for information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye said.

Justice Inyang Ekwo had ordered the electoral body to stop recognising Umahi and his deputy and that the PDP should send new names to INEC to replace the governor and deputy.

Meanwhile, the PDP has urged INEC to issue certificates of return to Iduma Igariwey and Fred Udogwu as the new governor and deputy for Ebonyi.

The party said the electoral body should confirm them forthwith, according to a statement released by its media department on Tuesday afternoon.