The dismissal of Senate minority whip Darlington Nwokocha by the Appeal Court on Saturday prompted members of the Labour Party’s Abia State chapter to demonstrate in the capital city of Umuahia on Monday.
Following a February 25 senate election in the senatorial district, Col. Austin Akobundu (Rtd), the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, was proclaimed the winner by a panel of the Appeal Court located in Lagos.
Members of the party wearing black clothing held signs that said the ruling by the A’Court was widespread.
Leading the procession was Augustine Meregini, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly. They marched from the party headquarters on Ikot Ekpene Road to Aba Road.
During the demonstration, the gathering marched from the party secretariat on Ikot Ekpene Road to Aba Road under the direction of Augustine Meregini, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly.
They carried posters with slogans like “Darlington’s mandate must be recovered,” “we voted for Darlington Nwokocha and not Col. Austin Akobundu,” and “judicial impunity must stop.”
Speaking to the party’s supporters, Chief Ceekay Igara, the state chairman, expressed his curiosity as to why the appeals panel that dismissed Nwokocha also upheld the election of Chief Ginger Onwusibe, the member representing the Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, who had a case similar to his.
During the demonstration, the gathering marched from the party secretariat on Ikot Ekpene Road to Aba Road under the direction of Augustine Meregini, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly.
They carried posters with slogans like “Darlington’s mandate must be recovered,” “we voted for Darlington Nwokocha and not Col. Austin Akobundu,” and “judicial impunity must stop.”
Speaking to the party’s supporters, Chief Ceekay Igara, the state chairman, expressed his curiosity as to why the appeals panel that dismissed Nwokocha also upheld the election of Chief Ginger Onwusibe, the member representing the Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, who had a case similar to his.
“We are shocked by the ruling because Section 77 of the Election Act, where the panel relied,” he stated.
“We are in astonishment at the verdict,” he stated, “since the Supreme Court concluded that Section 77 of the Election Act—which the panel had relied upon to issue the judgment that dealt with a party’s membership—is an internal matter of the political party.
“We are requesting the judgment’s specifics so that our attorneys can review them and determine the best course of action.”
