By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
The 2023 candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Chief Linus Okorie said that it is illegal for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to imagine conducting a fresh election for the zone.
Okorie contended that the alleged plan by the electoral umpire to conduct a fresh election in Ebonyi South Senatorial District would not hold any positive effect, considering the matter of the election is still pending in court.
It could be called that Okorie partook in the Saturday 25th February 2023 National Assembly Election. He has dragged the All Progressives Congress, APC, and David Umahi to court for allegedly rigging, manipulating and perpetrating other irregularities in the election.
Okorie who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, made this known while reacting to the rumours making the rounds that the INEC allegedly plans to conduct a fresh election to replace the former governor, David Umahi who resigned his position in the Senate to become a minister of works.
It was gathered that the campaign posters of personalities including that of Umahi's younger brother, Austin have flooded the town, declaring interest to contest in the alleged rumoured Ebonyi south senatorial zone election.
Okorie, a two-time member of the House of Representatives, who represented Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency described such rumoured fresh election for Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone by INEC as illegal.
He said: "Today, the tribunal is sitting to adopt all the final addresses of all the parties. After today, they (Tribunal) will reserve judgement, which may be next week.
"If that judgement is given, if the court decides that it was Umahi who won that election, then two things Will happen; if nobody goes to the 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 the 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 response process."
Reacting to the alleged BVAS report forgery by the former governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, Okorie said: "There is an investigation ongoing by the police on the BVAS report forgery. And irrespective of how the Tribunal determines, there is an alleged crime, and time does not run against an alleged crime. The Issue of forgery is different from the result, is different from the Tribunal and it is different from the election.
"That allegation is being investigated, and there is a petition before the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the outcome is completely a different thing. David Umahi is accused of forging the BVAS report, and the investigation is still ongoing and has not stopped. And so, it is a different thing irrespective of what the tribunal rules."
On whether the minster of Works, Umahi be arrested if found culpable of the alleged crime, after the investigation by the police, Okorie said: "The laws are clear, if it is proven that he forged, clearly the law will take its cause. And part of it will be to get him (Umahi) prosecuted.
"He will be charged to court and If the final investigation confirms that he forged the BVAS report as alleged, it is expected that he (Umahi) will be arrested and arraigned before the court. It is only the President and Vice, governor and deputy that has immunity. Whether you are a Senator or Minister, you can be arrested.
Okorie, expressed optimism about getting a victory in the Court, adding: "I ran that election and 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 is, 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."
