How Umahi, Defected Lawmakers May Use Matawalle’s Case As Precedent To Stay In Office

Mr Dave Umahi has failed to upturn court judgement sacking him as governor of Ebonyi State. The embattled governor and other defected lawmakers are left with no option but to appeal the decision of the Federal High Court by raising strong motion and using Bello Matawalle’s case as precedent. Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamafara State has faced similar issues when he defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). But he successfully clinched his way through the same legal system his opponents were using to bring him down.

It is a normal procedure for political opponents to demand the resignation of a governor when he defects to another party. Governor Dave Umahi is not the first governor to defect while in office. Governor of Zamafara, Governor of Benue, and many Nigerian Senators have at a time left the platform they were elected to join another political platform.

It is left for Governor Dave Umahi to raise a formidable legal team that will present and defend his political interest if he wishes to remain as the substantive governor of Ebonyi State. The existence of precedents will make it easier for his defence.