By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, has commended the judiciary for dismissing the suit challenging the defection of the State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC.

The commendation came after the court presided over by Justice Henry Njoku gave the verdict in Abakakili, describing the suit as lacking in merit and awarding N500, 000 as damages against the plaintiff.

Emegha, who said the judgement was anticipated because the provisions of the Constitution on the matter were crystal clear, appreciated Ebonyi people “who first gave the verdict via the polls because of their satisfaction with Governor Umahi’s trajectory in infrastructural development and peace building among communities within and outside the state during his first tenure in office.”

“In all honesty, for the right thinking citizens like us who participated in the last general election especially from Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state where coincidentally I and the plaintiff, Chief Sunny Ogbuorji, hail from, we all knew that the electorate voted massively for Governor David Umahi because of his achievements in his first tenure,” Emegha said.

Describing the suit as frivolous and exercise in futility, the Ebonyi APC Chairman said: “The verdict has reaffirmed the saying that the judiciary is truly the last hope of the common man. It has also given more strengthen and hope to the Nigerian people that the judiciary is still very strong and unbiased.

“There was never a time the matter distracted the Governor because on several occasions he reassured the people of the state that all the ongoing projects will be completed before he bows out of office in 2023. My Principal is focused and ever determined to leave office as the best Governor in history of the country.”

Emegha added: “To the family of the ruling APC, this is a welcome development. The battle is over and the Governor still remains the number citizen of the state.

“He has a covenant with God to rapidly develop the state and its inhabitants. However, in the spirit of sportsmanship the plaintiff who is now an integral part of the party cannot even appeal the judgement because there were overwhelming evidence that the suit lacked merit as read out by the presiding judge. Before the ruling, there were stories that he wanted to withdraw the matter.”