By CHARLES IWUOHA

A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on Wednesday sacked the gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party, Arch. Edward Nkwegu, who was elected on August 2, 2022.

Nkwagu’s sacking followed a suit filed by Mr. Splendour Oko-Eze.

Labour Party held its first primary election on June 9, 2022, and produced Oko-Eze as the gubernatorial candidate of the party.

The court also nullified the primary held on Tuesday, August 2 that produced Edward Nkwegu as another governorship candidate of the party in the state, saying it was null and void.

In his ruling, Justice Fatun Riman said the party primary held earlier on June was still authentic as the candidate, Oko-Eze, has not withdrawn from the race.

Riman said that another candidate could not emerge in a political party until a candidate, who was validly nominated as its candidate has withdrawn.

Responding, the counsel to Oko-Eze, Mr Michael Odoh, applauded the court for upholding the June 9 primary election that produced Mr. Eze-Oko, adding that his client has not withdrawn from the race.

According to Odoh, “The court has said it and my client remains the authentic Candidate of the party in Ebonyi as he has not withdrawn.

“My client is the gubernatorial candidate of LP and he has not withdrawn. And not until he withdrawn, no other candidate can emerge as a candidate in that party.

“The court had upheld the primary that was conducted earlier in June in favour of Splendour and set aside the purported second primary held yesterday, August. 2.

“People should abide by the electoral act and party guidelines. If you want to take over from a candidature of a political party, where a candidature was valid nominated and the name of the person already forwarded to INEC; the person has to withdraw his candidature in writing, then after that withdrawal, that is when another person can take over.”

When contacted for reaction, Nkwegu refused to pick several calls put forward to him by our reporter, at the time of filing this report.