LP senatorial candidate faults Umahi on right to choose Senate replacement

The Labour Party Candidate in the Feb. 25 election in Ebonyi south senatorial district, Chief Linus Okorie, has faulted Chief David Umahi’s declaration on his right to choose his replacement for his Senate seat.

Supreme News reports that the seat became vacant after Umahi, the immediate past governor of the state, was appointed Minister of Works by President Bola Tinubu.

The Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Sept. 8, ruled that Umahi was the district’s validly elected senator and dismissed petitions from the LP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Umahi, however, on Sept. 9, during a visit to Gov. Francis Nwifuru, said he has the right to choose his replacement in the Senate, being a prominent stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okorie, reacting to the development in a statement made available on Monday, urged the minister to instead focus more on delivering good roads to Nigerians.

“I might not delve into issues concerning the APC, but I advise that he leave matters concerning the seat, having resigned from it.

“He should realise that the matter is still a subject of litigation,” he said.

Okorie noted that he and the Labour Party would appeal the tribunal’s judgement, which dismissed their petitions.

“No fresh elections are in view unless the court of appeals decides,” he said.

He urged stakeholders in the district to focus on what was best for them and in the people’s interest.

“The ultimate decision rests with the stakeholders in case the court of appeals orders a rerun,” the statement read.