I will Contest Ebonyi Senatorial Re-Run-Linus Okorie
Linus Okorie, the Labour Party Senatorial candidate for the Ebonyi South zone in the last February 25 National Assembly polls, challenged the election in the tribunal after he was not declared the winner.
The petition was struck out by the Appeal Court in ruling and declared the former governor David Umahi (now Minister of Works), the All Progressives Congress candidate as the winner of the February 25 elections.
Following the resignation and appointment of the former governor, David Umahi as a minister by President Bola Tinubu, the position of Ebonyi South zone was declared vacant in the National Assembly. The former Governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi boasted it was his right to choose who replaces him from his Ohaozara council area which generated ripples.
However, Okorie stressed that it was the turn of the Onicha Local Government Area of the state to produce the next senator in the spirit of justice, fairness, and equity.
Okorie said, “Within the next 90 days, INEC shall conduct a fresh election in Ebonyi South and the decision as to who becomes the Senator shall be yours. The forthcoming election represents our collective victory and opportunity to permanently bury the primitive push for a selfish family dynasty.
“Happily, critical lessons have been learned by all stakeholders from the February election and should be collectively applied to improve the electoral outcome this time around. By so doing, the people will ensure that the rightfully elected candidate is declared after the re-run election.
“My humble appeal is that we remain motivated, active, and vigilant to protect the will of the people when the re-run eventually holds.”
The LP candidate added, “I have been inundated by many who want to know my next line of action, whether or not I will participate in the forthcoming re-run. My answer remains the same: being a product of the people’s will, it is the people that will determine my next move. I have commenced appropriate consultations, the outcome of which will determine my eventual decision and shall also be made public.”