Emerging report indicates that a Federal High Court in Abuja, has on Thursday, dismissed the suit seeking to declare vacant the seat of the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, for decamping from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, after winning his election under the former.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo cited the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, that defection from one political party to another is not a ground for removal from Office.
He noted that the removal of a sitting Governor and his Deputy, can only be done in line with Constitutional provisions.
He added that under such provisions, the Judiciary lacks the power to remove an elected Officer.
Justice Taiwo however, agreed that defection from a winning party to a losing one, is immoral and improper.
Recall, that earlier today, before the judgement, Governor Ayade had stated the following:
“I believe in the Judiciary, I believe today’s judgement will be fair.
“I believe that justice will not only be done, but will be seen to have been done. Whatever the outcome I will accept, but without prejudicing, my right of appeal should it become imperative.”
More news later…