LP Reps candidate dumps Guber candidate over court judgment in Ebonyi

LP Reps candidate dumps Guber candidate over court judgment in Ebonyi

A House of Representative candidate for Afikpo north/ south federal constituency on the platform of Labour Party, LP, in Ebonyi state, Mr. Irem Oka Ibom has reportedly dumped the gubernatorial candidate of the Party, Edward Nkwagu over a Federal High Court judgement.

Ibom in a statement signed and forwarded to the national chairman of LP, Julius Abure, which copy was obtained by our Correspondent said that he is withdrawing  from the nomination as the Labour Party, candidate for Afikpo South/Afikpo North Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State. 

Ibiom who was reportedly to be  on the lineup of Edward Nkwagu, contesting for  Afikpo north/south federal constituency on the platform of LP, but had to dump him (Nkwagu) shortly after the federal High court judgement, 

Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State had upheld the Labour Party primary of June 9 that produced Mr Splendour Eze as the governorship candidate of the party in the state.

The court also nullified the primary held on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, which produced Edward Nkwegu as another governorship candidate of the party in the state, saying it was illegal.

Justice Fatun Riman, in his ruling, said the party primary held earlier in June was still authentic as the candidate, Mr Eze, has not withdrawn from the race.

Riman said that another candidate could not emerge in a political party until a candidate, who was validly nominated, withdrew from the race. 

According to Ibom: "In view of the above, I hereby withdraw my name from the aforesaid nomination as the Labour Party, candidate for Afikpo South/Afikpo North Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State. 

"My attention was drawn to the submission of my name at the Independent National electoral commission, INEC, as same is done without my knowledge and consent.

 "Be informed that I never participated in the Party Primaries leading to my emergence as a House of Representatives candidate.

"I am still a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and do not intend to leave my party for any reason" he stated