A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the 16 lawmakers from Ebonyi to vacate their seats after their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, ordered the lawmakers to stop parading themselves as representatives of the people after dumping the party on which platform they were elected into the house of assembly.
Some of the lawmakers include Odefa Obasi Odefa, Victor Chukwu, Kingsley Ikoro, Joseph Ununu, Nkemka Okoro, among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 19, fixed today for the judgment in the suit filed by the PDP against the governor and his deputy.
Earlier, Everyday.ng reported that the same Federal High Court sacked Ebonyi State governor, Mr Dave Umahi and his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe on account of their unlawful defection from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court declared their defection unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and ordered them to immediately vacate their offices.
Justice Inyang Ekwo in a judgment on Tuesday ordered Umahi and his deputy to immediately stop holding themselves out as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State.
The Judge held that the votes that brought them to office belonged to the People’s Democratic Party PDP and they cannot hold on to the votes having elected to jettison the party that nominated them.
Justice Ekwo also held that the votes cast for PDP in the March 9, 2019 governorship election are not transferrable to the APC that failed in the election.
Additional reports by NAN