The embattled governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has put up a fight against his removal from office courtesy of the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Inyang Ekwo had, in his ruling on the ex- parte application brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ordered Umahi and his deputy out of office.
But Umahi insisted that the judge has no judicial power to remove him from office, alleging that he (Judge) was doing a hatchet job.
Apparently to even scores, the embattled governor disclosed that he has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the matter.
He said: “I am still the Governor of Ebonyi State and there is no tension at all. In the first place, there is no constitutional provision for any hatchet man to remove a governor.
“There are three ways whereby a governor can vacate his office: it is either by death, resignation and impeachment. There is no other constitutional provision that empowers a hatchet man to turn the Constitution upside down.
“I have listened to the judgment of Inyang Ekwo and it’s very obvious that he was on a mission. He was making all effort to upturn the rulings of the Appeal and Supreme Courts, on issues like this.
“We have heard the rumours before now that he was determined to give judgment against all known laws and the Constitution, first to embarrass the APC, and to equally embarrass the Federal government.
“For me, I do not feel worried; but, I feel so bad for the judicial in Nigeria. The executives may have problems; the legislature may have problems, but the moment justice could be purchased, then we are in trouble in Nigeria.
“It’s obvious that the ruling this afternoon is clear evidence that this country is in trouble. And let me tell you, this same judge, has over ten cases against the Ebonyi State government with him. And you can imagine what he is going to rule.
“We have petitioned him to NJC and we will follow it up to the end to ensure that this man (Ekwo) is brought to justice. I want you to disregard the judgement because it’s null and void.”