The eight members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, have told the embattled Speaker, Francis Nwifuru, and 15 others who defected to the All Progressives Congress to stop parading themselves as members.
They also revealed that new leadership of the House will emerge soon, adding that a Federal High Court judgment had penultimate Tuesday declared the 16 APC lawmakers sacked.
Oliver Osi, who spoke on behalf of seven other members of the PDP lawmakers, stated this during a press briefing in Abakaliki on Thursday.
He said, “It’s no longer news that on March 8, 2022, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a landmark judgement, ruled that 16 persons who are that time were members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly had ceased to be members of the House, having abandoned their mandate and resigned their membership by their voluntary defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, in November 2020.
“The effect of this is that the following persons, from the date of the ruling of March 8, 2022, are no longer members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly: Francis Nwifuru; Kingsley Ogbonna; Benjamin Ezeoma; Onu Nwonye; Nkemka Onuma; Anthony Nwegede; Chinedu Onah; and Chinedu Awo, among others.
“It is pertinent for the general public, particularly, Ndi Ebonyi, to note that up till today, March 16, 2022, the judgment has neither been successfully appealed nor has a stay of execution granted in respect of same.”
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
