LP senatorial candidate faults Umahi on right to choose Senate replacement

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Labour Party candidate in the February 25 election in Ebonyi South senatorial district, Linus Okorie, has faulted David Umahi’s declaration of his right to choose his replacement for the Senate.
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 September 8, ruled that Umahi was the district’s validly elected senator and dismissed petitions from the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party.
On September 9, during a visit to Gov. Francis Nwifuru, the minister said he has the right to choose his replacement for the Senate position as a prominent stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okorie, reacting to the development in a statement on Monday, urged the minister to 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.
Urging stakeholders in the district to focus on what was best for them and in the people’s interest, he stated: “The ultimate decision rests with the stakeholders in case the Court of Appeal orders a rerun.”