News has filtered in alleging the storming of the Abuja residence of the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State and Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, Sen. David Umahi by the Department of State Services, DSS. The discreet investigation done by the patron of the Ebonyi State Social Media Society and blogger, Nwoba Chika Nwoba reveals that the rumour of the arrest was a false one.
Umahi was reported as coming fourth in the Senatorial election for Ebonyi South Zone on the platform of the APC. It was alleged that the former governor stormed the office of the INEC at Obiozara, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State while collation of results was going on and chased out agents of other political parties around with military men and forced the returning officer to declare him winner which the returning officer obliged due to fear for his precious life.
At the Ebonyi NASS election tribunal sitting in Abuja, it was shown by the INEC that the BVAS report submitted to the tribunal by Umahi was forged. In a letter INEC signed and given to the Labour Party’s Senatorial candidate, Hon. Linus Okorie, INEC said that the BVAS report submitted to the court by the legal team of the former Governor didn’t emanate from the commission, saying that the one the LP candidate and other parties challenging the declaration of Umahi is true reflection of the outcome of the election in Ebonyi South.
It’s in the light of this that the DSS and Police weren’t written to, demanding the arrest of the former Governor for forging INEC documents and presenting to the tribunal. Some nongovernmental organisations have joined in the call to get the former Governor arrested for manipulating electoral documents and deceiving the court.
For the past two days this issue has been trending on pages of the social media, neither the legal team of Mr Umahi nor himself has come out to disown the claim or own it up.
Ebonyi South senatorial zone is comprised of two House of Representatives Constituencies: OHANIVO and Afikpo/Edda Constituencies. Labour Party won in OHANIVO with Chief Nkem Kama who’s going for the first time. PDP won in Afikpo/Edda with Barr Idu Igariwey who won for the 3rd time all on the platform of PDP.
Therefore, it’s expected that the DSS or police either responds or declines the call for the arrest of the former Governor as soon as possible.
