Ex-Party Chairman ‘I Remain Authentic Ebonyi LP Gov Candidate’

“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.”

The Court of Appeal in Enugu had set aside the August 3 2022 decision of the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, on the leadership of the Labour Party in Ebonyi State.

The plaintiff, Oko-Eze, had challenged his removal as the Caretaker Committee Chairman and the appointment of Jioke Godwin as Chairman.

Oko-Eze asked the lower court to restrain LP and the INEC from effecting any change in the party’s candidature in Ebonyi for the governorship election.

All the prayers were granted.

But LP, through its counsel, Chijioke Emeka, argued that his client was denied fair hearing in the manner in which the court rushed through with the case and hastily entered judgment against all procedural safeguards.

Besides, he said the party had power to control its caretaker leadership without judicial interference.

Emeka said the issue about the governorship candidature was speculative and premature.